Philadelphia police find body in plastic container believed to be of 70-year-old reported missing
Authorities have found a body who they believe is that of a 70-year-old man reported missing in Philadelphia in a plastic storage container at a home in the city's Frankford section on Thursday night.
According to a report, Robert Derer's relatives had reported him missing after they were unable to contact him for three days. Police said that the body showed signs of being badly beaten up.
The elderly man did not live in the home where the body found but was a frequent visitor. His family members put out a flier saying he had gone missing earlier in the week after supposedly heading out to a pizza shop. Authorities reportedly saw some things at the apartment on the 1600 block of Fillmore Street that raised suspicion, following which they obtained a search warrant and found the body.
Commissioner Richard Ross said investigators believe the body in the bin is that of Derer since the timeline matches up. Medical officers haven't officially identified the body yet, and police are waiting to learn the exact cause of the victim's death.
On reaching the house in Frankford, officers found blood on the steps. "And there were some other items that I don't want to get into right now. But it was something that led those officers when they first arrived to check on the well-being to determine that further action needed to be taken," Ross said. Following this, the house was searched and the body was found inside the large bin.
Officers have questioned two people in connection with the murder, one of whom is a 28-year-old man and stayed in the house on 1600 block. His 25-year-old brother is also a suspect. Police said they were questioning the 25-year-old man in connection to the death, but further details were not disclosed. The 28-year-old roommate is in custody, although no charges have been filed yet.
Commissioner Ross said Derer was assaulted in some way. He also said that the roommate's brother is in the hospital with "a problem", the details of which were not disclosed, and will be questioned once released.