Officials: Man's body found in suitcase near airport

ONE TINICUM Township man decided to take advantage of yesterday's balmy weather and go on a quick walk with his dog near Philadelphia International Airport.

But what was meant to be a short trip turned into a much longer ordeal for the dog walker, who stumbled upon the remains of another man stuffed inside a Samsonite suitcase, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Investigators last night were working to learn more about the victim, a white man in his 20s, as well as his cause of death, said Emily Harris, a spokeswoman for the D.A.'s Office.

His body was found just before 1:30 p.m. in a wooded area near 2nd Street in Essington, behind the Tinicum Township Industrial Park, Harris said.

That stretch of 2nd Street, despite its seclusion, is popular with runners and cyclists. The dog walker was led to the grisly spot by the "foul odor" emanating from it, Harris said.

Inside the luggage, the victim's body was "pretty badly decomposed," indicating that it had been packed inside for several days, according to Harris.

An autopsy scheduled for today is expected to reveal more about the death, which investigators are deeming suspicious.

There are no reports of missing persons in the immediate area, which borders the airport.

The transportation hub was not affected by the investigation into the death yesterday, Harris said.