Human Remains Found During Easter Egg Hunt…WHAT!?
What began as a holiday tradition for one Long Beach family turned into an active police investigation.
Authorities say human remains were discovered Sunday afternoon near DeForest Park and the Wetlands in Long Beach after a family found what appeared to be bones while children were participating in an Easter egg hunt.
According to police, officers were called to the 5900 block of De Forest Avenue around 5 p.m. after receiving reports of the discovery.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene because of the circumstances surrounding the find.
Family members told CBS Los Angeles off-camera that what appeared to be a human skull and other bones were found near the entrance to the park’s walking path, an area frequently used by residents for daily walks and exercise.
On Monday, police and the Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the remains were human. Authorities said investigators recovered a human skull and a jawbone.
The remains were transported to the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center in Los Angeles for further examination.
Despite early reports suggesting the remains may have belonged to a child, the Medical Examiner’s Office said investigators have not yet been able to determine the age or gender.
Witnesses described a disturbing scene as the family realized what had been found. One bystander said the family appeared shaken in the moments after the discovery.
Aerial footage from the scene showed brightly colored Easter eggs scattered along the path near what appeared to be a partially exposed skull in the ground. Officers were later seen covering the area with a canopy.
As of the latest update, police said the investigation remains ongoing and details are limited.
