Small Human Skull Recovered From Brush at Long Beach Park During Easter Egg Hunt
The roughly 50-acre DeForest Park in Long Beach — a popular spot for walking trails, wetlands and family gatherings — became a crime scene on Easter Sunday after a family hunting for eggs uncovered a partially buried human skull.
The family was taking part in an Easter egg hunt at DeForest Park when they walked into a brushy area searching for a hidden egg around 5 p.m. on April 5, 2026.
Instead of an egg, they found a partially buried skull near a walking trail.
The park, located at 6255 De Forest Ave. approximately 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, runs along the Los Angeles River and the 710 Freeway. It was very crowded that day, with families barbecuing and celebrating the holiday.
The Easter egg hunt was an independent event, not organized by the city.
Long Beach Police Department officers responded to reports of possible human remains and cordoned off a portion of the park. A white canopy was placed over the discovery site.
Human Skull Investigation Is Ongoing
The LA County Medical Examiner’s Special Operations Response Team recovered the remains and transported them to the Forensic Science Center for examination.
The skull and a mandible — a jawbone — were the only remains recovered. The skull was described as small, suggesting it may belong to an infant.
On Monday morning, aerial footage showed investigators still scouring the scene. Some appeared to be carrying remains in evidence bags before leaving around noon.
Officials later confirmed the remains are human, but no identity has been released and investigators have not established the age, gender or cause of death.
The discovery has left many residents with unsettling questions about a park they consider safe.
Residents React to Easter Egg Hunt Gone Wrong
Residents who live near DeForest Park expressed shock and concern.
Fernando Guzman expressed sympathy for any children who may have witnessed the discovery. “I’m sorry for whoever’s kids that even saw that, you know? It sounds pretty bad,” Guzman told ABC7.
Gabriel Rivas said the find made him reconsider his sense of safety at a trail he and his girlfriend use regularly. “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.
George G. called it disturbing, especially given the timing. “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,” he added.
Jessica Flores described the situation as 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,” she added.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
