'Heartbreaking': Mystery Surrounds Discovery of 6 Dead Bodies in California's Mojave Desert

Christine Pelisek
·2 min read
1

The bodies were discovered in a remote desert area in El Mirage, in San Bernardino County.

<p>Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty</p> Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff

Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty

Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department investigate a scene where six bodies were discovered on a desolate high desert dirt road intersection off Highway 395 in El Mirage

Six people were found dead this week in a remote area of California’s Mojave Desert.

Five of the bodies were discovered around 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 23 off Highway 395 in the community of El Mirage, in San Bernardino County.

“This is a very remote desert area,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said at a press conference Wednesday. “And for that reason, the California Highway Patrol Aviation Division accompanied us to the call and were able to help us in locating the scene and the decedents.”

Rodriguez said they found the sixth body Wednesday morning.

Police have not identified the bodies or revealed a cause of death.

“We have not confirmed the sex or the age of any of the decedents at this point, so that information will come out as we continue the investigation, as well as the cause and manner of death,” she said. “We have investigators out there. The crime scene will be considered for all evidence; we will collect that. Our coroner investigators will do their part in the investigation as far as the decedents are concerned.”

<p>Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty</p> crime scene

Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty

crime scene

Two vehicles – a light-colored minivan and a dark-colored SUV, were found at the scene, according to KTLA5. The SVU appeared to be riddled with bullets, per KTLA5.

Some of the bodies looked like they'd been burned, KTLA5 reported.

<p>Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty</p> remote area in San Bernardino County

Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty

remote area in San Bernardino County

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“It's going to be heartbreaking no matter what the situation is out there as far as the circumstances surrounding it, so our investigators will continue to do their best to wrap this up quickly and get all the information possible to bring justice to those folks out there," said Rodriguez.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.

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