Police on Long Island, N.Y., were trying to determine Tuesday how a grieving family was given a bag containing a human leg instead of the dead man's effects.

ADVERTISEMENT

Suffolk County police received a frantic call Monday from Christopher Runyan, 35, who made the gruesome discovery.

His 77-year-old father, Paul, had died Friday at Central Suffolk Hospital barely a week after learning he had cancer, the New York Daily News said. A blue tag hanging from the toe bore the name of another man and was dated Jan. 13.

Detectives learned a hospital worker had turned over the plastic bag to an employee at a funeral home, which immediately denied any involvement in the mix-up.

"The investigation is continuing, although it appears to be non-criminal," said Detective Sgt. John Best.

The hospital launched its own investigation as well, spokeswoman Nancy Uzo said.

"God knows how that can be confused with a bag of clothing," Runyan said.