BRAINTREE, Mass., July 12 (UPI) -- Residents were shaking their heads in disbelief and disgust at the revelation that a neighbor kept a human skull and other body parts allegedly for use in satanic rituals, reports said Thursday.
Police in Braintree, Mass., just south of Boston, said they found the skull, bones, a brain and a fetus in jars -- as well as occult paraphernalia -- when they searched the second-floor apartment of George Picard, 34.
The search stemmed from a tip that Picard had allegedly stolen items from his upstairs neighbor's apartment.
Police Lt. Russell Jenkins said it appeared Picard was involved with satanic worship.
"We believe from the items that we recovered that he might have been involved in devil worshipping," Jenkins said. Authorities were investigating to see if others were also involved.
"It was pretty strange, pretty bizarre," Jenkins said in Thursday's Boston Herald.
The skull allegedly was stolen from a nearby cemetery, according to Michael Alfano, 21, who had lived with Picard for a time. Using information from Alfano, police obtained a warrant to search Picard's apartment.
Officers found the skull in a box in the kitchen along with a jar containing what appeared to be a human brain, Jenkins said. Two other bones were also discovered.
The fetus was found preserved in a jar and on display in Picard's bedroom, "like you would have your baby picture," Jenkins said in Thursday's Quincy Patriot Ledger.
Jenkins said the fetus and brain apparently was stolen from the New England Medical Center in Boston where Picard had worked as an electrician.
Searchers also found Picard had a 2-foot mural of Satan on his living room wall, hidden beneath a painting of a forest scene. They also found marijuana plants growing and literature dealing with devil worship and bomb making.
Police said Picard had a lengthy record that included 19 arraignments for charges including breaking and entering, drugs, and receiving stolen property. Neighbors said it was obvious Picard had "mental problems"
Picard was arraigned Wednesday in Quincy District Court on charges including grave robbing and drug possession.
After a court-appointed psychiatrist said Picard was suffering from anxiety and depression, the defendant was ordered to undergo mental evaluation at Medfield State Hospital.
"I'm nauseated. I'm disgusted," a woman identified only as Picard's landlady told the Boston Globe. The landlady, who lived on the first floor of the three-family building, said: "I don't know if I'm ever going to get over this. How can I live with this above my head?"