What was supposed to be a fun Easter egg hunt turned into a disturbing discovery for one family in Long Beach, California, when they uncovered a human skull while searching for candy and coins in DeForest Park.
The Discovery of the Remains
On Easter Sunday, April 5, multiple families were gathered in DeForest Park for holiday festivities. According to the Long Beach Police Department, one family stumbled upon what appeared to be skeletal remains during their egg hunt. The shocking discovery occurred around 5:00 p.m., prompting a call to the authorities.
Law enforcement quickly alerted the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner (DME), which sent an investigator to the scene. The Special Operations Response Team (SORT) was dispatched the following day to recover the remains.
Investigation and Recovery
ABC7’s aerial footage from the scene showed a white, round-shaped object partially buried in the park, surrounded by colorful Easter eggs. By that afternoon, DME confirmed that they had recovered a skeletonized human skull and mandible (the lower jawbone). The remains were transported to the Forensic Science Center for further examination.
While law enforcement continues to investigate, limited information is available at this time, as the death remains under active investigation.
Witness Accounts
Long Beach resident Michael Fuentes, who was at the park with his family, shared his shock and sadness after witnessing the discovery. “We were literally three spots down. The family was over there.
They put the eggs down and the kids were finding them,” Fuentes said. “Out of nowhere, we hear, ‘Hey, dad. Mom. There’s some bones over there.’ Everybody went over there and called the police…It was really tragic. I started crying. It hurt my soul.”
Fuentes described the skull as “small,” and his words reflected the shock many felt upon realizing the gravity of the situation.
Another local resident, Fernando Guzman, also expressed concern for those who may have witnessed the discovery. “I’m sorry for whoever’s kids that even saw that, you know? It sounds pretty bad,” Guzman said.
The Easter Egg Hunt and Community Response
The Easter egg hunt was an independent gathering organized by local families, not an event hosted or promoted by the city. The community is still reeling from the tragic discovery, and authorities are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the remains.
The medical examiner’s office has not released additional details, citing the ongoing investigation into the death.
