Homicide detectives in California are actively seeking leads into the deaths of six individuals whose bodies were discovered in a desolate region of the Mojave Desert, as disclosed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday (local time).
Responding to a call, sheriff's deputies stumbled upon the bodies on Tuesday evening in a remote expanse of flat desert terrain adjacent to Highway 395 near El Mirage, situated approximately 97 kilometers northeast of Los Angeles, as relayed by sheriff's spokesperson Mara Rodriguez during a press briefing.
At the time of the initial report, neither the gender nor the ages of the victims were provided.
Although the exact cause and manner of death are yet to be officially determined, reports from the Victor Valley News Group suggested that the victims had sustained gunshot wounds. Initially, authorities indicated the discovery of five bodies, but Rodriguez later confirmed the finding of a sixth victim during the investigative process.
Aerial footage captured by Los Angeles television station KTLA-TV showcased several bloodied bodies strewn across the ground, surrounded by numerous evidence markers and bullet casings. Some victims displayed signs of burns, although the station refrained from airing the distressing images due to their graphic nature.
Additionally, two vehicles—an azure SUV and a white van—were discovered at the scene. The SUV bore multiple bullet holes and showed signs of window damage, while one of the bodies was found within the confines of a vehicle.
As of now, no suspects have been apprehended, and law enforcement officials have refrained from speculating on potential motives or circumstances surrounding the homicides.
El Mirage, an unincorporated community situated adjacent to a flat, arid lake bed in the western region of the Victor Valley within the Mojave Desert, serves as the backdrop for this perplexing and tragic event.
