Watch CBS News

FBI uncovers possible human remains after dig at former home of famed NY mobster "Jimmy the Gent"

FBI agents replace dirt after searching in the backyard of a New York city house once occupied by a famous gangster, Tuesday, June 18, 2013, in New York. AP/Kathy Willens

(AP) NEW YORK -  The FBI has found possible human remains after a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster.

The digging started Monday in the neighborhood of South Ozone, Queens. It was home to James Burke, a Lucchese crime family associate known as "Jimmy the Gent."

Earlier in the week, a police source told CBS New York that the FBI was looking for evidence and possible human remains related to a 30-year-old mob murder.

Burke died behind bars in 1996, two decades after masterminding a nearly $6 million robbery at New York's Kennedy Airport.

The house is still owned by Burke's wife, but others now live there.

An FBI spokesman confirmed agents were investigating but gave no details.

Detroit FBI spokesman Simon Shaykhet said Wednesday that there was no connection between the dig for former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa's remains in Michigan and the excavation at the New York home.

A character based on Burke was played by Robert De Niro in the movie "Goodfellas." The character was called Jimmy Conway.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.