Human skull found in rural area near Los Gatos
LOS GATOS, Calif. - The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department has launched an investigation after a human skull was discovered in unincorporated Los Gatos.
Authorities say the remains were found off Montevina Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains about 30 feet from the road near what locals refer to as "Rattlesnake Curve."
Dog walker Jamie Beck noticed an unusual sight off the road Monday: Santa Clara County Sheriff's department cars and crime scene tape.
"It really isn't all that high traffic, so to know there's remains there that's just really stunning," said Beck.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department says they got a call Monday morning from someone who discovered the remains while walking near the road. Crime Scene Investigators responded to the area Monday along with cadaver dogs to search the secluded area about 3 miles from Lexington Reservoir.
Sheriff's Deputies blocked off the road and expanded the crime scene with yellow tape.
A group email went out to those who live in the area from another neighbor who says he discovered the human remains while hiking with a group Sunday.
"This morning I saw an email from a neighbor who does a lot of hiking in the area and just noticed there was some discovery of human remains," said Bernie Perry.
Authorities say it's still unclear who the remains belong to, the age, gender or how long they've been there.
"Well it's discomforting. I mean it's sad to hear something like that happens and especially so close to home," said Perry.
"The only traffic you really see besides bicyclists going up and down are the people who live here and anybody who's doing any work like myself or cleaning services and it's really not that busy because there's no way out," said Beck.
The coroner plans to review the remains in hopes of identifying who they belong to.