A home for horror movies

In August 2022, police in Milwaukee issued a public request for assistance in identifying a man whose body was discovered in an abandoned house. The body, mummified in its state, was found on August 10th by a YouTuber at 231 Early Street. The identity of the deceased remained unknown, and despite efforts from the authorities, there was no identification on the body, as reported by Amy Melch, the lead forensic investigator at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's office.

The remains, largely mummified except for the head, feet, and one hand, allowed investigators to identify some tattoos, which were entered into a database for possible identification. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the building was a residential property, though it had been abandoned for some time. The autopsy revealed that the individual was likely a Black male, with distinguishing features such as tattoos reading "King" on the left arm and "SAA" on the right, along with five rings on his fingers. Additionally, the man wore a red allergy bracelet, commonly used in local hospitals, and his attire included athletic pants and two jackets. There were no signs of injury or substance abuse. Interestingly, the mummification process, which can occur within weeks in hot, dry conditions, was further accelerated in an enclosed space. In these conditions, the body dried out rapidly, with extremities like the hands and feet mummifying first, while the internal organs took longer.

A year later, in 2023, Dave, a professional urban explorer known for his "Freaktography" adventures, visited the same abandoned house. Inside, he found an eerie collection of creepy dolls and stuffed animals scattered across the rooms, many torn apart. The front yard was also filled with more dolls, creating a haunting sight. Dave speculated that many of the items in the house were from the '90s, though some suggested they could date back to the '80s. The house was in a state of decay, with peeling paint and signs of long-term abandonment. As he explored, Dave described the unsettling feeling that he was being watched by the unblinking eyes of the dolls, enhancing the creepy atmosphere of the place.

In April 2024, another urban explorer, Daniel Sims, ventured into the same property, which had remained untouched for nearly 20 years. The house, believed to have been abandoned around 2003, contained bizarre remnants that suggested the family who had lived there had vanished suddenly. Inside, Daniel found a collection of memorabilia from the 1930s and beyond, alongside strange items, including dolls positioned in such a way that they appeared to be using the toilet. The kitchen was frozen in time, with a kettle still sitting on the stove, as if waiting for tea, and a teacup, milk, and jam left on the counter. Jars of food were still in the cupboards, and a 1996 calendar remained on the wall. Daniel speculated that the previous owner may have run a pig farm and been a toy collector, as many toys were scattered throughout the house. The reason for the property’s abandonment remains a mystery, with Daniel describing the scene as "really strange," noting that it felt as if the family had simply disappeared, leaving behind food and personal belongings.

Though the reasons behind the abandonment of the house remain unknown, the strange discoveries made by these urban explorers added a chilling layer to the mystery surrounding the building, the mummified body, and the eerie remnants of a past life.