Human Skull Possibly Belonging to Infant Found at Long Beach Park During Easter Egg Hunt
A human skull discovered near a walking trail at DeForest Park in Long Beach, California, is shaking the sense of security that regular visitors say they’ve long felt along the park’s popular paths.
The skull was found on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, around 5 p.m., when a family participating in an Easter egg hunt ventured into a brushy area searching for a hidden egg.
The remains were partially buried in dense brush near one of the park’s walking trails — the same trails that joggers, walkers and families use daily.
DeForest Park, located at 6255 De Forest Ave., spans roughly 50 acres approximately 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The park runs along the Los Angeles River and the 710 Freeway and contains a river parkway, walking trails, freshwater wetlands and open space for recreation.
The skull was described as small, suggesting it may belong to an infant. A mandible, or jawbone, was the only other remains recovered. Officials later confirmed the skull was human.
The discovery site’s proximity to the park’s trail network is what has unsettled regular users most.
DeForest Park Was Crowded During Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter egg hunt was described as an independent event, not city-organized.
The park was described as very crowded on Easter Sunday, with families barbecuing and celebrating. Resident George G. reflected on the jarring contrast.
“It’s just so sad what happened, and then on Easter Sunday. And then for kids to find it, that’s very disturbing,” George G told KTLA. “We’ve just got to leave it to the authorities, they know what to do. It was really crowded here yesterday. The whole place was full of people barbecuing, having a really good time.”
Resident Fernando Guzman expressed sympathy for any children who witnessed the discovery.
“I’m sorry for whoever’s kids that even saw that, you know? It sounds pretty bad,” Guzman told ABC7.
Human Skull Has Community Members Worried
Resident Gabriel Rivas, who frequents the trails with his girlfriend, said the find forced him to reconsider how safe the area really is.
“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,” Rivas told ABC7.
His reaction captures what many regular park visitors are likely grappling with: the realization that a brushy area just steps from a well-used path concealed human remains — and that it took an egg hunter straying off the trail to find them.
Jessica Flores, who lives nearby and regularly brings her grandson to the park, called the discovery heartbreaking.
“I’m just beside myself because we come here all the time,” Flores told NBC4. “I just live down the street and take my grandson around here. It’s just heartbreaking. I hope they figure out who it is because there’s so much children that come to the park.”
Human Skull Investigation Continues
The Long Beach Police Department initially responded to reports of possible human remains.
Police cordoned off a portion of the park and placed a white canopy over the discovery site. The LA County Medical Examiner’s Special Operations Response Team recovered the remains and transported them to the Forensic Science Center for examination.
On Monday morning, aerial footage showed investigators still scouring the scene, and some appeared to be carrying remains in evidence bags before leaving around noon.
Age, gender and cause of death have not been confirmed. No identity has been released. The investigation is ongoing.
For the walkers, runners and families who count on DeForest Park’s trails as part of their daily routines, the discovery raises pressing questions about what lies in the dense brush bordering their paths — and whether the park’s 50 acres receive the oversight that regular visitors deserve.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
