A content creator from Columbus, Ohio, was left shocked after uncovering a disturbing discovery while renovating her backyard. Katie Santry, the American woman behind the viral find, shared the unfolding events through a series of TikTok videos, each garnering millions of views.
While digging to install a new fence, Katie stumbled upon an unexpected item buried about two feet underground—a rug. In the video capturing the moment, she and her companions expressed confusion over the strange discovery, with a text overlay asking, “WHY IS THERE A RUG BURIED IN OUR YARD?”
Prompted by concerned followers, Katie decided to notify the police for peace of mind. While the initial response wasn’t alarming, detectives returned to her property on Friday, October 4th, accompanied by K-9 units and an excavation team.
Katie continued documenting the events, providing regular updates to her audience. One notable presence at the scene was the sister of Dennis “Danny” Fout, a Columbus man who went missing five years ago. She expressed hope during an interview with NBC4.
True crime enthusiasts were glued to the developments as police spent the entire day excavating Katie’s backyard, following the intriguing lead.
On Friday afternoon, authorities concluded their investigation, announcing that no human remains were found, and the excavation would end. Despite this outcome, the video series catapulted content creator Katie Santry to viral fame, with her TikTok videos amassing tens of millions of views and her follower count soaring to two million.
Katie live-streamed the investigation as cadaver dogs searched her yard, highlighting a moment when one of the dogs sat near the dig site. She asked an officer if that behavior was significant, and the officer confirmed, “Usually.” A second dog displayed similar behavior. Columbus Division of Police spokeswoman Jennifer Watson later explained to the Columbus Dispatch that the dogs’ responses could indicate “anything” beneath the surface, including body oils, sweat, or even a small cut.
For two days, police conducted a thorough investigation, utilizing cadaver dogs and excavation tools. Authorities treated the situation seriously, ensuring every possibility was investigated. On Thursday, portions of Katie’s backyard were sectioned off, with the investigation extending into Friday. Katie continued to share updates as detectives worked around her property, and an excavator was brought in.
“There’s a tent set up, and there are nine police officers and CSI in the backyard,” Katie reported. “Homicide and missing persons are here, and CSI is bringing out the shovels.” She also mentioned being restricted from entering certain areas: “They’ve blocked how far I’m allowed to even go.” Though the investigation has since concluded, the brief drama captured the attention of true crime fans on TikTok.