Human Skull Found In San Clemente

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Skeletal remains discovered in San Clemente Thursday afternoon were human, according to a forensic anthropologists and deputy coroner. The unidentified remains were found by a biologist working on a rural hillside in the area of Camino Vera Cruz and Avenida Pico, Orange County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Lane Lagaret said. The remains, which included a human skull and a piece of bone related to that skull, were all that have been found at this point.

"Investigators used a grid search, in a methodical manner to seek out any additional remains," Lagaret said.

The search began at approximately 10 a.m. Friday morning and was over by just after 1 p.m. that afternoon.

When asked if the skull was ancient or possibly part of a Native American burial, Lagaret agreed that was a possibility.

The forensic anthropologist and deputy coroner, along with Orange County Search and Rescue Human Remains Detection Dogs, were all on scene Friday to test the remains, and determine if they were human or animal in nature, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department Lagaret.

"The remains will be taken to the coroner's office in Santa Ana where the coroner will try to identify the victim and try to determine cause of death," Lagaret said.

#OCSDPIO Search and Rescue game planning to conduct a methodical search. We don't want to overlook any possible evidence. Thanks @abc7greg pic.twitter.com/xB1T58X5NI
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) June 2, 2017

#OCSDPIO: Remains found in San Clemente confirmed to be human. Investigation will be taken over by OCSD homicide unit.
— OC Sheriff, CA (@OCSD) June 2, 2017

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