COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus police have concluded an investigation after a woman posted on TikTok that she may have discovered a body buried in her yard.
An account for Katie Santry started her story with a video posted five days ago showing her and her family finding a rug buried in the yard of their east Columbus home.
Police responded to her claims and wrapped up their investigation — which included K-9 units and an excavation — on Friday afternoon. According to Columbus police, they collected pieces of a rug buried in the yard.
“The pieces all tested negative for human or animal remains and, at this time, there are no plans for further testing,” police said.
Watch: Columbus police close investigation prompted by viral TikTok
Over the course of multiple posts in that time, Santry detailed her first phone call to police and two officers who came out to investigate, with the officers declining at that time to investigate the matter any further.
In a video posted on Thursday afternoon, Santry said Columbus homicide detectives called her house, saying they would be sending out investigators with cadaver dogs.
In a video posted Thursday night, Santry said two different cadaver dogs on two separate attempts “sat” at the hole. She shared a video showing the dogs sit near the hole, and a spokesperson for the Columbus Division of Police confirmed detectives and cadaver dogs were at Santry’s home investigating Thursday.
“The entire world was telling me to have the police come,” Santry said. “When I called the police and asked them, ‘Hey. Do you want to come to my house to look at a rug.’ I felt insane.”
As police investigated on Friday, neighbors watched on curiously. Gregory Napier has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years and said the event was highly unusual. He added that people were coming from all over the city, and said the neighborhood did not appreciate that much in-person attention.
“It’s disturbing and alarming, because it caught me by surprise,” Napier said. “Like here we are, all of a sudden, now we got all these news people out here, police officers, cadaver dogs. We’re usually quiet.”
Santry’s videos on the buried rug saga have racked up millions of views.
Police provide test results
Columbus police said they have tested the rug collected from Santry’s backyard, and confirmed shortly after 2 p.m. that the rug pieces all tested negative for human and animal remains. Police said the investigation concluded around 12:30 p.m., and said there are no plans for further testing.
Santry’s takeaway
Santry ended her livestream, saying she had not eaten or slept much in the last 24 hours due to “stress.” She said she is still curious about the K-9 hits and about the mystery that started it all: who broke her laptop and messed with her office?
“Yesterday was traumatic, today was cool and collected,” Santry said. “I’m feeling good.”
Santry also reminded viewers she is a private citizen, and asked people to respect her and her family’s privacy as information circulates. She invited viewers to stay tuned about the broken laptop, but as for the rug, she is relieved things are finished.
Below the carpet?
Santry said there was “no way” anything further is under where the rug was. She said they were thorough in their searches.
Police told Santry they tried to put things back in place as best they could, although more work will likely be needed on Santry’s part. Santry also said her backyard fireplace is now gone from the dig, which was once a favorite project of hers.
Officers speak with Santry
Santry livestreamed the aftermath, including when CPD officers spoke with her. Officers on her livestream said they did not know why the K-9s hit, as they were not from their department, but they confirmed nothing indicated foul play.
“So we’re finishing up,” a CPD officer told Santry while she livestreamed. “Just to let you know, we found nothing to indicate a body, any human remains, anything.”
One officer said when homes are built, it is common for people to bury things rather than moving them to save effort. They said K-9 units are not always right, but when they hit, police have to dig to be safe. One officer also said it was possible someone had gotten something as insignificant as a nosebleed years ago that the dogs picked up on.
“Thanks for the adventure,” an officer said.
Officers also gave her a small medallion for her yard being a potential crime scene.
Santry goes live after dig
Santry still said she was confused after the K-9 units marked yesterday, but she said she was very happy to hear “nothing was in the rug.” She said she still does not know why the rug was there, but is grateful to have answers.
“There’s no body!” Santry said happily. “I’m not living next to a dead body … this mystery has been solved.”
She also confirmed police took parts of the rug, which came out of the ground in pieces.
PHOTOS: On the scene
Dig ends
NBC4’s Samantha Bender said police have ended the dig, and said nothing was found. Police have not commented on the rug.
Mini excavator enters the scene
NBC4’s Samantha Bender reports investigative crews have now brought in a miniature excavator. Mini excavators are typically better for working in small spaces, according to online equipment rental company DOZR.
Santry: ‘Digging has paused’
In her most recent update, Santry said police have paused their digging and are now “looking in the whole.” She said one person is on the phone and the rest are all standing around, but she has no further information.
Family of missing man ‘hopeful’
Police have not given any indication the rug contains a body or is linked to any lingering investigations. However, some families with missing loved ones are hopeful the discovery might offer new information. Five years ago, Dennis “Danny” Fout disappeared in Columbus. Today, his sister is at the scene and told NBC4’s Samantha Bender she hopes they find answers in the excavation so her family can get closure.
Excavator on the scene
NBC4 reporter Samantha Bender said the excavator has now arrived on scene. People continue to watch on from outside the closed scene.
Police say they are still investigating
The Columbus Division of Police (CPD) told NBC4 there are no “conclusive findings” as of 11:05 a.m. CPD public relations specialist Caitlyn McIntosh said officers conducted a preliminary investigation yesterday at approximately 6:23 p.m. using K-9 resources. McIntosh confirmed police held the scene overnight to continue their search today.
Who owned the home last?
The TikTok saga began with Santry asking if her home is haunted, a statement she has since said started lightheartedly, and she did not know it would get to this point. The house is less than 100 years old, however. According to the Franklin County Auditor, it was built in 1967.
NBC4 reporter Samantha Bender said neighbors said Santry is only the second owner. In a video post, Santry said she had contacted the previous owners, who also do not know what the rug is. According to Santry’s videos, past neighbors said they also have not buried any former pets in the yard.
Neighbors watch and film
Online followers are not the only spectators. NBC4’s Samantha Bender is on the scene and says she’s spoken with neighbors, who describe the neighborhood as typically quiet and said they have never seen anything like this. Currently, at least 10 neighbors are spectating, discussing and filming as police work on their investigation. One man is even watching on from a lawn chair just outside of the crime scene.
Police are now digging
According to Santry’s TikTok, multiple officers began to bring in equipment around 9:30 a.m.
Police are currently digging in Santry’s backyard, she said in her latest update, which was posted around 10 a.m. Santry said they still do not know anything, and said police told her the recent rain could change how the dogs picked up scents.