Chicarin's Chilling Finds: Alabama Dog Unearths Human Remains, Sparking Homicide Investigation

Published: August 15, 2025

In the quiet neighborhood of Center Point, Alabama, a German Shepherd mix named Chicarin has become an unlikely key figure in a perplexing homicide investigation. Over the past year, Chicarin has unearthed human skeletal remains on four separate occasions, each discovery leading authorities deeper into a chilling mystery.

The Unsettling Discoveries

The series of unsettling finds began on August 20, 2024, when Chicarin's owner, Paulina Mejía, discovered her dog playing with a human skull in their front yard. The skull, which still contained hair and teeth, had a gunshot wound. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot, but DNA analysis did not match any known individuals in national databases. This discovery set off a chain of events that would unfold over the next year.

In December 2024, Chicarin brought home a tibia bone, which forensic analysis confirmed belonged to the same individual as the skull. In April 2025, a femur and mandible were found, further linking the remains to the same person. The most recent discovery occurred on August 9, 2025, when Chicarin unearthed additional skeletal remains, which are currently undergoing analysis to determine if they belong to the same individual.

Investigative Efforts and Challenges

Jefferson County authorities have been working diligently to piece together the puzzle. They have placed a GPS tracker on Chicarin to monitor her movements and identify potential areas where more remains might be found. Investigators have also searched nearby wooded areas, hoping to locate additional evidence that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. The DNA profile obtained from the remains has not matched any entries in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), leaving investigators without a clear identification of the victim. Additionally, there have been no missing person reports in the area that correspond to the profile, complicating the investigation further.

Community Impact and Personal Struggles

The ongoing investigation has deeply affected Paulina Mejía and her family. In addition to dealing with the unsettling discoveries, Mejía's husband, Orlin, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and taken to a facility in Louisiana. This has left Mejía to manage their household and a remodeling business on her own, all while continuing to cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation.

The community has rallied around the Mejía family, offering support during this challenging time. Local residents have expressed concern over the repeated discoveries and the implications they have for the safety and security of the neighborhood.

The Broader Implications

This case underscores the critical role that pets can play in uncovering information that might otherwise remain hidden. Chicarin's repeated discoveries have provided investigators with crucial leads in a case that might have otherwise gone cold. The ongoing analysis of the remains and the efforts to identify the victim highlight the complexities involved in solving such cases.

As the investigation continues, authorities remain hopeful that the latest findings will provide the breakthrough needed to identify the victim and determine the circumstances of their death. The community watches closely, awaiting answers to the unsettling questions that have emerged over the past year.