A resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina says she found body parts in a deep freezer she bought from her neighbour.
The woman, who didn't want to be identified, says she was told not to open it for a few weeks.
It was a time capsule, part of Sunday school project, she was told.
"A church was supposed to come, pick up the items inside the freezer. I was supposed to get the freezer back. The church never came. I decided to open it - My heart was in my throat and I ran outside, called 911."
The seller has since left town.
The body parts have been sent to authorities for identification.