TAUNTON - Taunton Police and Massachusetts State Police spent nearly 12 hours Thursday digging up a portion of a yard in a residential neighborhood.

According to ABC6, it appears police were looking for something that may have been buried at what is now the corner of Ashleigh Terrace and Bryan Drive in Taunton.

The now-developed cul-de-sac neighborhood was a wooded area before homes went up in the early 2000s.

Spokespersons for the Massachusetts State Police and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office said the digging was part of an ongoing investigation, and declined further comment.

Neighbors speculate the digging may be connected to the disappearance of Debbie Mello of Taunton 17 years ago.

It did not appear as if police found anything during their search. The hole was filled before police cleared the scene Thursday night.

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