Human skull found during Easter egg hunt at DeForest Park in Long Beach, police confirm

LONG BEACH, Calif. () — Authorities are investigating the discovery of what they confirm is a human skull found on Easter Sunday at a Long Beach park.

According to the Long Beach Police Department, a family came across the remains around 5 p.m. while taking part in an egg hunt at DeForest Park, which runs along the Los Angeles River and 710 Freeway.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said in a statement that their Special Operations Response Team “recovered a skeletonized human skull and mandible and brought the recovered remains to the Forensic Science Center for further examination.”

AIR7 video showed what is confirmed to be a human skull under a white investigative tent, with colorful Easter eggs scattered nearby.

“Due to the circumstances, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office is responding to the scene. The investigation is ongoing,” said police in a statement.

Additional details including age, gender, and cause of death were not immediately available.

No other remains were found along with the skull, police said.

Neighbors who regularly walk or run through the park said they were shocked by the find and expressed concern for the family who encountered it.

“I’m sorry for whoever’s kids that even saw that, you know? It sounds pretty bad,” Fernando Guzman said.

Gabriel Rivas, another Long Beach resident, said the discovery was unsettling given how frequently people use the area.

“My girlfriend and I walk past here all the time and run. We feel it’s a safe trail so … surprising. I’m going to have to think twice,” he said.

Many unanswered questions remain. Officials said members of the medical examiner’s Special Operations Response Team worked at the park to recover the remains.