Human Remains Found During Easter Egg Hunt in Long Beach, California
What began as a holiday tradition ended in shock for a family spending Easter Sunday at a Long Beach park. Possible human remains, described as a small skull, were discovered on the afternoon of April 5, 2026, during an Easter egg hunt at DeForest Park and Wetlands in North Long Beach. Authorities were called to the scene, and an investigation remains ongoing.
The Discovery
The Long Beach Police Department responded to the 5900 block of De Forest Avenue at approximately 5:44 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a report of possible human remains. Officers arrived to find a family who had been searching for Easter eggs in the park's natural area along the Los Angeles River.
Local news station KTLA 5 reported that what appeared to be a small skull was found by someone participating in the hunt. It was not immediately clear how long the remains had been at the location.
A bystander who witnessed the aftermath, Marc Zaldana, told CBS Los Angeles he had been walking along the path when he encountered the family shortly after the discovery. He described the family as visibly distressed. Police remained on scene through Sunday night as the investigation continued.
The Response
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office was called to respond to the scene. As of early Monday, April 6, officers were still on site awaiting the arrival of a forensic anthropologist team from that office, Long Beach Police Department Public Information Officer Andrea Moran told USA Today.
No arrests have been announced. The identity of the individual whose remains were found, and how long they had been at the location, had not been established as of Monday morning. The case remains under active investigation.
About DeForest Park and Wetlands
DeForest Park and Wetlands spans nearly 50 acres in North Long Beach, running parallel to the Los Angeles River and the 710 Freeway, approximately 7 miles north of downtown Long Beach. The park is a community hub that includes sports courts, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, and a community center.
The wetlands portion of the property covers 34 acres and opened to the public in June 2018 following an $8.5 million restoration project funded by the City of Long Beach, Los Angeles County, and state agencies. The area was transformed from largely overgrown and barren land into a river parkway featuring freshwater wetlands, wildlife habitat, native plants, and recreational trails. Activities at the wetlands include walking, bird watching, horseback riding, and educational tours.
The park's nature trails run through riparian forest along the Los Angeles River levee, with dense vegetation including cottonwood trees, willows, and wetland grasses. The remote, overgrown character of portions of the trail system means sections of the park are less frequently monitored than its developed areas.
An Ongoing Investigation
Police have not released additional information about the nature of the remains or any circumstances surrounding how they came to be in the park. Forensic analysis by the medical examiner's office will be required to determine the identity of the individual and any relevant circumstances.
The Long Beach Police Department said details of the investigation would remain limited while the case is active. No further statements had been issued as of Monday, April 6.
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