#WheresMyCasket: Cops Seeks Owner of Coffin Found on Roadside

— -- Police come across some strange things in their line of work, but members of one Wisconsin department found an empty casket sitting on the side of the road and they’re trying to return it to its owner.

In a now-popular post on its Facebook page today, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office said the discovery was “a first,” writing of the casket: “We’re pretty certain it did not come out of the ground, and there have been no reports of zombies in the area. According to a local Funeral Home, used caskets are sometimes sold to private individuals for haunted houses, displays, etc."

"So, if this fell off the back of your truck over the weekend, get in touch with us. It’s a little creepy, and we’d like to get it back to you," the Facebook post added, ending with the hashtag #WheresMyCasket.

In a telephone interview today with ABC News, Deputy Joe LeBreck said the post has generated plenty of interest -- but no word from the coffin’s owner.

“Several people that have contacted us saying that they would like to take ownership of it when it becomes available,” LeBreck said, but noted that the item wouldn’t be up for distribution for a required waiting period of 60 days to six months, as required by law.

“And then the original person who found it gets first dibs at it. If he or she doesn’t want it, it's open to the public,” LeBreck said.

Police said they were called at around 4 p.m. on Saturday by a motorist who saw the casket on County Highway Z near the intersection of Dover Drive in Quincy Township.

The cloth and padding had been removed from it. While it didn’t look as though it had been removed from a grave, it bore marks consistent with possibly having skidded across the road, suggesting it may have fallen off a trailer or truck, LeBreck said.

He said funeral directors in the area told police it’s not uncommon for caskets to be sold to costume shops or to people who run haunted houses or hayrides, or for homeowners for use in Halloween decorating. Caskets that have been used to show bodies that are later cremated are often also sold, LeBreck said.

The Facebook post has been a big hit, LeBreck said, noting that it had been viewed about 80,000 times as of Tuesday afternoon, and many posters were having fun with the story.

“The zombie theory explains many residents in Adams County. ... We now have a diagnosis,” one poster wrote, while another added: “Some poor vampire has to sleep in a closet tonight.”