VICTORVILLE, Calif., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The skeletal remains of four people were found this week in shallow graves in the Mojave Desert in Southern California, authorities said Wednesday.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said nothing was known yet about the bodies. A forensic anthropologist is to examine the remains to try to determine age, gender and how long they have been dead.
A motorcyclist traveling off-road in the area east of Victorville reported to the sheriff's office Monday he had seen what looked like human bones. Investigators said the area was combed Tuesday and Wednesday.
A former San Bernardino deputy who went on to be a Los Angeles police commissioner told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin the area is a popular one for getting rid of bodies.
"If there were to be a cross everywhere someone dumped a body, the desert would look like Forest Lawn," Keith Bushey said. "If you want to kill somebody, you're going to take him some place that's desolate, and the California desert is just a wonderful place and it's a secluded place. In addition to all the wonderful things it has to offer, it's long been a place to dump bodies."
