Police officers were seen removing more than one dozen large items from a central Kitchener home Thursday afternoon in connection with the death of Erin Howlett.

It was the second time police had been seen searching around the Chestnut Street home since Howlett’s death, but the first since September.

In July, Howlett’s body was found in the Grand River in Kitchener.

No arrests have been made in connection with the case, but Thursday’s search is a sign that the investigation remains active.

Waterloo Regional Police Staff Sgt. Shaena Morris says homicide detectives and forensic officers were at the home Thursday.

“They’re removing some furniture and other items from the residence for forensic analysis,” she says.

Removed items included a bedframe, a mattress and what appeared to be a rug.

Police are not expected to return to Chestnut Street anytime soon.

Paul Martell, who lives on Chestnut, says it’s “concerning” to see police return.

“It’s always been a quiet neighbourhood – no commotion,” he says.

“Hopefully they find what they’re looking for the second time around.”

Howlett’s brother tells CTV News he knows the man who rents a basement apartment in the Chestnut Street home and dropped Erin off there on multiple occasions.

In October, police also searched the Trillium Natural Area in Kitchener’s south end.

Officers were seen using metal detectors and focusing their attention on two ponds.