Authorities said multiple bones were recovered from the Crest Drive property.
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — New owners of a recently purchased property found human remains Friday evening in Apple Valley, prompting a response from San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies, homicide detectives, crime scene specialists and coroner’s officials.
The discovery was reported June 26 in the 19000 block of Crest Drive, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Officials said the reporting party had been walking around the property when the remains were found. A deputy located the remains, secured the scene and requested additional investigators.
Detectives with the sheriff’s homicide detail joined the Coroner’s Division and crime scene specialists at the property. Investigators searched the area and collected multiple bones. The Sheriff’s Department said the remains showed no obvious signs of trauma, but the person has not been identified. Officials have not released an age, sex, race or possible date of death.
The case remains under investigation while forensic work continues. Authorities have not said how long the bones may have been on the property or whether the remains were connected to any missing person case. No arrests have been announced, and officials have not named any suspect or person of interest.
The discovery drew attention because it was made by people who had recently bought the property. Officials have not said whether the remains were found inside a structure, outside on the land or in another area of the property. They also have not said whether investigators found clothing, personal items or other evidence nearby.
Apple Valley is in San Bernardino County’s High Desert region, east of the Los Angeles area. The sheriff’s Apple Valley station handles local patrol calls, while major death investigations may involve specialized detectives and the county coroner. In this case, homicide detectives were called as part of the investigative response, even though officials have not determined the manner of death.
The Coroner’s Division is expected to examine the bones and work toward identification. That process can include forensic testing, comparisons with missing person records and a review of any evidence recovered from the scene. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Department homicide detail.
Authorities had released no new identification or cause of death as of Monday, June 29. The next major step is the forensic review of the remains and any evidence collected from the Crest Drive property.
Author note: Last updated Monday, June 29, 2026.