Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Human skull found near Coney Island boardwalk, prompting investigation, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 11, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 11, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
City officials are investigating the discovery of a human skull along the Coney Island boardwalk in Brooklyn this week.
A passerby called 911 about human remains in the bushes next to the Riegelmann Boardwalk around 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the NYPD. Officers arrived at the scene and found the skull between West 32nd and 33rd streets, toward the western end of the peninsula, police said.
City medical examiners will study the skull’s origins and how it ended up near the boardwalk, officials said.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner did not immediately respond to an inquiry early Thursday.
This is a developing story based on preliminary information from police and may be updated.
Tagged
brooklyn
coney island
new york city
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: There's finally stuff inside the Times Square tower where the ball drops
Because it used to sit vacant for most of the year, here are your early links: Rangers goalie scored, "It's a Wonderful Life" coming to Broadway, there's dignity in scaffolding and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 9:20 a.m. ET
NYC subway dragging death highlights an old school MTA failsafe
The man dragged to death by a subway train in Brooklyn earlier this week put riders across the city on edge.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYC subway dragging death highlights an old school MTA failsafe
The man dragged to death by a subway train in Brooklyn earlier this week put riders across the city on edge.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
We were the victim': Brooklyn shelter's new CEO speaks after corruption scandal
By
Ryan Kost
Badly burned body found in a trashed and abandoned Jamaica Queens lot, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Brooklyn DA brings back warrant-clearing event as quality-of-life tickets surge
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .