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Human Remains Found Scattered Around Detroit Identified

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say human remains found in a Detroit street and vacant lot over the weekend are of the same man whose head, hands and arm were found earlier in a burned-out home.

The torso and left hip of 34-year-old Casey Durham were identified by the medical examiner's office this week. Police say the body parts were found Saturday morning in the middle the road at Ferdinand Street and Jefferson Avenue in southwest Detroit and Saturday afternoon in a vacant west side lot on Burgess Street.

Durham's head, hands and arm were found Oct. 1 in garbage bags inside of an abandoned, burned-out home on Leslie Street, near Linwood and the Davison on the city's west side. Police say the fire may have burned a few days before the bags were dumped.

The medical examiner initially said Durham died from a single gunshot wound to the head. However, since more bullet wounds were found in the newly discovered remains, the cause of death was changed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Durham was missing since late September. Michigan Department of Corrections records show that Durham was paroled in March after serving time for armed robbery and firearms-related charges.

Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens told The Detroit News she "didn't rule out someone trying to send a  message."

An investigation is ongoing.

TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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