HASTINGS, Neb. -- The discovery of an apparent severed penis has led Hastings police to open a homicide investigation.

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Severed Organ Found Near Car Wash

Police Chief Larry Thoren said a resident found the organ near a car wash in the west-central area of Hastings about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

He said there was no evidence at the scene to support it was severed there.

He said the Police Department has no reports of missing people who could be linked to the case, and the department has no information of where an assault could have taken place.

Thoren said the finding could be the result of a self-inflicted accident or an assault.

The organ was taken to a crime lab Wednesday to make the final determination on whether it is human and to get a DNA profile. A pathologist will then examine it.

Thoren said police are asking for help from the public with what he called "an extremely unique situation."

Reaction from the unusual find spread quickly through the usually quiet town. "A lot of people are concerned about what's happened and a little upset with it," Hastings resident Sally Mauser said.

Investigators have a long list of questions they are still trying to answer. "Was it accidental? Was it self-inflicted? Was it intentional?" Capt. Steven Murphy said.

Some think it may have been part of a sick joke. A nearby billboard reminds people about being organ and tissue donors.

Police checked with hospitals in the area to see if anyone came in with similar injuries. They also passed the news along to other law enforcement agencies.