Human skull found near Big Bear prompts death investigation

A human skull found in a remote area northeast of Big Bear over the weekend has prompted a death investigation, authorities announced Tuesday.

A hunter in the Smarts Ranch Road area north of Cactus Flat near Highway 18 reported finding the remains just after 3 p.m. Saturday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department stated.

Deputies responded to the scene, confirmed the skull to be human and contacted the coroner's division, which searched the scene and located additional remains on Sunday.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine the identity of the decedent and the cause of death, the Sheriff's Department stated.

The Cactus Flat area offers an OHV staging area for off-road vehicles but there was no indication of any connection between it and the death investigation.

Anyone with information was asked to call the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the We-Tip Hotline at 800-782-7463 or wetip.com.