Feet Found In LA Park Where Head, Hands Discovered

Published January 19, 2012 2:18AM (EST)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police looked for more human body parts Wednesday after searchers discovered two hands and two feet in the same area of a park where dog walkers found a severed human head inside a plastic bag.

The first hand was found as dozens of officers and homicide investigators combed the brush along a winding trail in the Hollywood Hills. A coroner's cadaver dog came upon it about 50 yards from where the head was discovered on Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/xWFSjT) reported.

The second hand and both feet were found nearby later Wednesday afternoon. No details were immediately available on the condition of the body parts.

The remains were believed to belong to the same man, but police were working to confirm that through testing.

The man may have been killed elsewhere in recent days and his body dumped in the park, police Cmdr. Andrew Smith said. Wild animals in the park may have other body parts, he said.

Authorities said the head came from a man in his 40s, 50s or 60s.

"One of the dogs ran into the brush and came out carrying a plastic grocery bag," Smith said of Tuesday's discovery.

"As the dogs shook the plastic grocery bag the severed human head fell out of the bag and onto the ground," he told KCBS-TV (http://cbsloc.al/wnadpt).

The man hasn't been identified. Police were looking at reports of missing persons, and coroner's investigators were to check dental records.

Smith noted that the area is well-traveled by both cars and hikers. A paved road winds around picnic areas and a children's playground before connecting with a trail that eventually winds up near the Hollywood sign.

A second trail leads to a short tunnel known locally as the Batcave because it was used for a scene in the 1960s "Batman" series. It has also been used for filming TV and movie productions.


By Salon Staff

MORE FROM Salon Staff


Related Topics ------------------------------------------