Two found dead in rail car traveling from Mexico to Iowa, authorities say

The bodies of two people were discovered in a rail car in rural Appanoose County, according to authorities.The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said authorities received a 911 call around 4:37 p.m. Friday from the Iowa Southern Railway regarding a possible body in a rail car.Authorities met with railway employees near the rail crossing on 540th Street, where two bodies were found inside an open rail car.According to a preliminary investigation, the open rail car contained steel being shipped from Monterrey, Mexico, to Centerville.The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said the rail cars were dropped off by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in Albia on Thursday before being picked up by Iowa Southern Railway.Railway employees said the bodies were discovered as workers began to decouple cars from the engine.The bodies were transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for examination, but authorities said evidence on scene indicates the individuals likely died when the load of steel shifted in the rail car.The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said evidence at the scene indicated one of the victims may have been from Honduras, but the nationality is not confirmed.

The bodies of two people were discovered in a rail car in rural Appanoose County, according to authorities.

The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said authorities received a 911 call around 4:37 p.m. Friday from the Iowa Southern Railway regarding a possible body in a rail car.


Authorities met with railway employees near the rail crossing on 540th Street, where two bodies were found inside an open rail car.

According to a preliminary investigation, the open rail car contained steel being shipped from Monterrey, Mexico, to Centerville.

The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said the rail cars were dropped off by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in Albia on Thursday before being picked up by Iowa Southern Railway.

Railway employees said the bodies were discovered as workers began to decouple cars from the engine.

The bodies were transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny for examination, but authorities said evidence on scene indicates the individuals likely died when the load of steel shifted in the rail car.

The Appanoose County Sheriff's Office said evidence at the scene indicated one of the victims may have been from Honduras, but the nationality is not confirmed.