A human skull and bones were found in a suitcase next to an interstate in Gwinnett County on Friday morning.

A Georgia Department of Transportation worker found the suitcase about 80 yards into a wooded area along I-985 northbound between the I-85 split and Buford Drive, Gwinnett police Cpl. Michele Pihera said.

The suitcase appears to have been in the wooded area for an extended period of time, she said.

The lead detective on the case will search through missing persons cases in Gwinnett and other agencies to try to trace the bones back to a specific person, Pihera said.

The right lane of I-985 northbound is closed while police conduct an investigation.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Gwinnett police at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can also remain anonymous — and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000 — by contacting Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting crimestoppersatlanta.org.

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