Possible Child Remains Found During Easter Egg Hunt in Long Beach

Police investigating discovery of partially exposed skull and bones near DeForest Park

Apr. 6, 2026 at 7:56pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a partially exposed human skull fragment, the dramatic lighting and stark contrast creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic.The discovery of possible human remains during a family Easter egg hunt has sparked a police investigation in Long Beach, raising disturbing questions about what happened.Long Beach Today

A family out searching for Easter eggs in Long Beach, California on Sunday instead discovered what appeared to be the skull and bones of a child along a path near DeForest Park and Wetlands. Police responded to the scene and called in the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office to investigate the partially exposed remains, though details about the age, identity, or how long the remains may have been there are still unknown.

Why it matters

The discovery of possible human remains, especially those that may belong to a child, is an extremely disturbing and tragic event that will likely have a profound impact on the local community. It raises serious questions about what happened and how the remains ended up in this public area, potentially sparking a wider investigation by authorities.

The details

According to reports, the family was searching for Easter eggs around 5pm on Sunday along a path near DeForest Park and Wetlands when they came across what looked like a partially unearthed skull and other bones. Police were called to the scene and placed a canopy over the remains while the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office was brought in to investigate further. Authorities have only confirmed that the remains appear to be possibly human, without providing any details on the age, identity, or how long they may have been there.

  • The discovery was made around 5pm on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Long Beach Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the scene and is leading the investigation into the discovered remains.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office

The agency that was called in by police to examine the partially exposed skull and bones found at the scene.

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What they’re saying

“I could only imagine the impact on the children.”

— Unidentified witness, Witness who saw the family's reaction

What’s next

Police say information will be limited while the investigation is underway as they work to determine the identity of the remains and the circumstances surrounding their discovery.

The takeaway

This disturbing discovery has shaken the Long Beach community and raised urgent questions about what happened and who the remains may belong to. Authorities will need to conduct a thorough investigation to provide answers and bring closure, while also considering the potential trauma this event may have caused for the family who made the grim find.