A gruesome discovery at Lake Merritt left Oakland, California residents in shock as a body was found stuffed in a suitcase floating near the 1900 block of Lakeshore Avenue on Tuesday morning, October 31, 2023.
Volunteers, engaged in cleaning activities around the lake, spotted a suitcase adrift around 11 a.m. and, upon inspection, found the body of a man curled up inside, estimated to be in his 30s.
The Oakland Police Department, responding to the call, teamed with the Oakland Fire Department to retrieve the body and the suitcase from the water.
The identity of the victim remains undisclosed as authorities are in the process of notifying his family. The body showed visible signs of injury, but the extent and nature of these injuries remain unknown. The Oakland Police Department’s homicide section has undertaken the investigation, working diligently to uncover the circumstances leading to the incident.
Authorities need to determine how long the body had been in the suitcase and submerged in the water, as well as the point of entry into the lake. Lake Merritt, a popular location for wildlife refuge and jogging, is the center of this grisly investigation, leaving residents and the local community in disbelief.
In response to this incident, the Oakland Police Department is urging anyone with information or surveillance footage that could aid the investigation to come forward.
The discovery also has residents concerned about the rising crime rates in Oakland, with many expressing a desire for city leaders to address and mitigate these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
Lake Merritt, encompassing 155 acres and located in the heart of Oakland, is known for its scenic beauty and recreational activities, making this discovery all the more shocking for the local community.
