Crime & Safety
Possible Human Remains Found Under Freeway In Costa Mesa
Caltrans officials discovered the remains while inspecting a culvert that runs under the 55 freeway in Costa Mesa.
COSTA MESA, CA — Caltrans officials have found what they believe are human remains inside a culvert that runs below the 55 freeway in Costa Mesa on Monday.
Caltrans crews made the discovery at around 10 a.m. Monday, after a robot camera spotted the remains about 300 feet into the 26-inch diameter pipe located near the Baker Street offramp, California Highway Patrol told KTLA.
After the discovery was made, CHP units and a Caltrans supervisor were sent to investigate the scene, according to the report. The supervisor later said that the remains appeared to be human and decomposed.
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According to the report, the camera was originally being used to do inspections on the pipes. As of Tuesday, officials were working on a plan to retrieve the remains, City News Service reported.
Orange County Sheriff's Department's coroner's officials were on hand when the pipe was flushed Tuesday, according to Orange County sheriff's Sgt. Scott Steinle.
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Work on clearing the obstruction began at 8 a.m., Steinle said. Until the blockage is cleared authorities will not be certain whether it is human remains, he added.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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