Norman Police Investigating After Residents Find A Body In Their Basement

Norman police are conducting a death investigation after residents of a home near the University of Oklahoma campus found a decomposed body in their basement. 

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office determined the remains belonged to Margarita Sandoval, who would have been 22 years old when police searched the basement in May. 

In a search warrant, Norman Police Detective Sean Judy wrote they found the remains in a black box “wrapped in numerous layers of a thick plastic, possibly 20-30 layers.” 

After cutting off the wrapping, Judy wrote officers saw “a liquid leaking from the box,” followed by “insects escaping.” Once the officers smelled “an odor of decomposition,” they seized the box. 

News 9's attempts to contact the residents of the home located in the 700 block of West Lindsey Street were unsuccessful. 

The residents of the home reported the presence of the body and are working with police, according to a department spokesperson, who added that police have not deemed it a homicide investigation. 

The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office is reviewing the case and has not yet determined the cause or time of death. 

Anyone with information regarding the death or Sandoval is asked to contact the Norman Police Department.