Current:Home > Contact-us'It was just a rug': Police conclude search after Columbus woman's backyard discovery goes viral-InfoLens
'It was just a rug': Police conclude search after Columbus woman's backyard discovery goes viral
View Date:2024-12-23 17:07:52
This story has been updated to add new information.
COLUMBUS, Ohio − Viral TikTok videos showing a rug found buried in a Columbus woman's backyard triggered a police investigation and social media fears that a dead body would be found, but Friday afternoon the search concluded with nothing found.
Katie Santry was digging holes for a fence in her backyard when she struck what appeared to be a buried rug, she said in a video posted to TikTok earlier this week. She also joked that her house might be haunted, saying her laptop had been broken and items were misplaced.
Santry's initial video has over 3 million views, and her entire chain of more than 20 clips about the rug mystery has garnered over 100 million views.
Santry again went live on TikTok after the search concluded, recapping the saga to more than 100,000 viewers.
"It was just a rug," Santry said during the live stream Friday afternoon.
Concerns grew when two cadaver dogs alerted to potential human remains in Santry's backyard Thursday.
Police dug in Santry's yard Friday and ultimately brought in an excavator, but a Columbus Division of Police spokeswoman said police found "some remnants of a rug material."
Friday's investigation brought with it significant police and media presence at the cul de sac in front of Santry's house. A few groups of curious neighbors and onlookers gathered nearby, filming videos and discussing updates.
Cars slowed down as they drove by, and many of the drivers held their phones out their windows to take pictures and videos.
Columbus police get involved
Several TikTok users urged Santry to contact the police as her videos went viral, and Columbus police visited the property Thursday.
Santry streamed the investigation on TikTok live, including the moments when two cadaver dogs sat down after sniffing a section of the yard. Cadaver dogs are often trained to sit to signal they have discovered human remains. Santry said at least 100,000 people watched the livestream.
"I'm still just hoping maybe someone just had a bloody nose on a rug and buried it," she wrote in a caption.
Watson said the dogs could have alerted to a variety of things.
"It could be body oil," Watson said. "It could be sweat. It could be it could be blood, like maybe a nick or a paper cut, something's as insignificant as that. So at this time, we don't know what we're looking at."
Who are the previous owners of Katie Santry's house?
The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, contacted the previous owner of the house – a 95-year-old Ohio resident – who said police called his family Thursday. He said that he and his wife did a lot of gardening, and he wondered if maybe they had discovered a burlap bag buried by mistake.
He added that they're both perplexed by the whole ordeal and said the attention has been upsetting to his wife.
“The police called us yesterday, and they also asked some questions," he said. "They talked to my son too. None of us could remember anything about what was buried.”
He added: “I just hope that if there’s treasure there … I hope they get lucky.”
Why are police investigating?
Watson said investigators on the property Friday were "starting to dig." Police held the scene overnight and continued investigating in the morning – Watson said they "needed light" to work.
"We're treating it as seriously as we can," Watson said. "You know, you can't leave any stone unturned in these incidents, so we just want to make sure that we are doing our due diligence."
veryGood! (3932)
Related
- Shel Talmy, produced hits by The Who, The Kinks and other 1960s British bands, dead at 87
- Fearing Their Kids Will Inherit Dead Coral Reefs, Scientists Are Urging Bold Action
- What's The Best Way To Help The Climate And People, Too? Home Improvement
- Virgin Galactic's first commercial flight to space is days away from taking off
- Alexandra Daddario shares first postpartum photo of baby: 'Women's bodies are amazing'
- See Dua Lipa’s Epic Transformation into a Mermaid for Barbie
- CMT Music Awards 2023 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look as the Stars Arrive
- Jamie Lee Curtis' Tribute to Daughter Ruby Is Everything on Transgender Day of Visibility
- Pistons' Tim Hardaway Jr. leaves in wheelchair after banging head on court
- 2 Japanese soldiers killed when fellow soldier opens fire, officials say
Ranking
- Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
- Bringing Back Trees To 'Forest City's' Redlined Areas Helps Residents And The Climate
- U.S. lawmakers want South Africa to face consequences for support for Russia amid Ukraine war
- Abbott Elementary's Lisa Ann Walter Reveals How Sheryl Lee Ralph Helped Her With Body Image Issues
- Ariana Grande Shares Dad's Emotional Reaction to Using His Last Name in Wicked Credits
- FEMA Has An Equity Problem
- Exxon Lobbyist Caught On Video Talking About Undermining Biden's Climate Push
- The New lululemon & Madhappy Run Collection Is Finally Here to Upgrade Your Spring Sportswear
Recommendation
-
Advocates Expect Maryland to Drive Climate Action When Trump Returns to Washington
-
North Korea test fires two ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan, South Korea says
-
H.R. McMaster says relationship with China is worse than Cold War between U.S. and Russia
-
Bus carrying wedding guests rolls over in Australia's wine country, killing 10 and injuring dozens
-
What is prize money for NBA Cup in-season tournament? Players get boost in 2024
-
H.R. McMaster says relationship with China is worse than Cold War between U.S. and Russia
-
Prince Harry in court: Here's a look at legal battles the Duke of Sussex is fighting against the U.K. press
-
Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson quits politics after being sanctioned for misleading Parliament