December 30, 2009

Human bones found in desert

Staff Reports
Desert Dispatch


ESSEX • Travelers found human bones near the Mojave National Preserve when they pulled their car off of Interstate 40 Tuesday morning.

The bones were discovered in a desert area between Interstate 40 and Essex, approximately 100 miles east of Barstow, according to a San Bernardino County Coroner’s report. Sgt. Frank Montanez said the travelers flagged down a California Highway Patrol officer after finding the bones, and the officer contacted the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

The body has yet to be identified as a man or woman. The sheriff’s department and coroner are investigating to determine the body’s identity and cause of death.

Anyone with information about the body is asked to call the coroner at 909-387-2978 or the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations at 909-387-3589.