Possible small human skull found during Easter egg hunt, police say

Authorities were investigating after the discovery Sunday afternoon of possible human remains at a Long Beach park as visitors gathered to celebrate Easter.

Someone searching for Easter eggs with their family made the startling discovery at DeForest Park, and police officers arrived to investigate around 5 p.m., the Long Beach Police Department confirmed Monday.

Authorities had no other details about how the discovery was made or about the possible remains themselves, including how long they had been at the park.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office responded to the scene after the discovery, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

“Every investigation is unique. The process typically begins with confirming whether the remains are human, which to my knowledge has not yet been determined by the Medical Examiner in this incident,” Lt. Benjamin Vargas told The Times in an email statement. “There is no fixed timeline.”

If the remains are confirmed to be human, the medical examiner’s office may take up to three weeks to determine whether they can be identified through dental records, fingerprints or DNA, Vargas said. In cases involving decomposition, skeletal remains, or no immediate matches, the process can take months — or even years, he said.

DeForest Park runs along the Los Angeles River and features a large wetland area with nature trails. Other public amenities include sports courts, playgrounds and a community center.