Human remains discovered in a wooded “tent city” near Monocacy Boulevard and East Street in Frederick, Maryland, were reported to police only after a mysterious caller described the find live on WWDC-FM’s Elliot in the Morning radio show last Friday.
Frederick Police confirmed the discovery the same day after the bizarre on-air call, in which the caller—using the fake name “Joseph”—said he had stumbled across the decomposed body 18 days earlier while “exploring nature” but had not yet contacted authorities.
Hosts Elliot Segal and others repeatedly urged him to call 911, with Segal shouting “Dude, call the cops!” multiple times. The caller eventually agreed to report it.
Police located the remains at the campsite the caller described. The body is believed to have been there for several months. The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy and working to identify the deceased. No cause of death or signs of foul play have been announced, and authorities say there is no threat to the public.
The caller told the radio hosts he had taken photos of the area and sent them to someone named Diane, but provided no explanation for waiting more than two weeks to alert anyone. It remains unclear whether the caller contacted police directly after the show or if the station tipped off authorities.
The investigation is ongoing.