Human remains found at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard under investigation
Maine State Police announced Wednesday that a routine inspection of a barge docked in Kittery uncovered human remains. The discovery came early in the morning as officers performed a scheduled safety check on the vessel.
The barge, located on the Atlantic shoreline in the town of Kittery, was being inspected for compliance with federal and state maritime regulations when a body was found. Police said the remains were located on the cargo deck, and that the vessel’s crew was cooperating with the investigation.
State Police officials confirmed that the find prompted an immediate forensic examination by the Maine Office of the Medical Examiner. “The situation is being treated as a homicide investigation,” a spokesperson told reporters. “We are working with the coroner’s office to determine identity and cause of death.”
Kittery, the southernmost town in Maine and home to a busy U.S. Coast Guard base and a commercial port, has seen a steady flow of barges transporting goods along the Eastern seaboard. Regular inspections are part of the Maine State Police’s duty to ensure that vessels comply with safety standards and that any hazardous conditions are addressed promptly. This routine check was conducted as part of that program, and the discovery of human remains was unanticipated.
The barge’s owner has not yet issued a statement, and the Maine Coast Guard has not commented on the incident. The investigation is being led by the Kittery Police Department in coordination with State Police, who have jurisdiction over maritime crimes in the area. The coroner’s office is expected to release an initial report once the remains are identified and a cause of death is established.
In the wake of the discovery, police urged anyone who might have knowledge of the incident or who witnessed activity around the barge in recent weeks to come forward. “Any information that could help us determine what happened is invaluable,” the officer said. “We are looking into all possible leads.”
The case has drawn attention to the importance of strict oversight in the maritime industry, where accidents and unreported incidents can go unnoticed. While the barge inspection itself is a routine part of Maine’s regulatory framework, the uncovering of human remains highlights how such checks can uncover serious crimes.
Maine State Police will provide further updates as the investigation progresses, including the identification of the deceased and any connections to the barge’s crew or other parties. For now, the incident remains a developing story, with the local community awaiting additional details from law‑enforcement officials.
