Human remains found in 'shed' built into pipes of bridge, Los Angeles officials say

Los Angeles investigators discovered human remains in a difficult-to-reach shed that was built under a bridge above a flood control area. The investigation was kicked off after a "foul odor" was reported.

Personnel with Los Angeles Fire and the Los Angeles Police Department found the remains in a small space under a bridge in the Ballona Creek flood control channel, according to KTLA. The news release was initially released by the Los Angeles Fire Department on Saturday.

The city's fire department published a statement, suggesting motorists take the detours available in the area. The initial report was that there was no timetable for when the area would be reopened.

When crews arrived on the scene, they observed an odor that ultimately led them to what was characterized as a "livable structure" built within the bottom of the bridge. The report noted the structure was about 20 feet above several feet of "slow moving tidal water," and 50 feet away from the shore.

The structure appeared to have served as someone's home at some point, but it is unclear if the person whose body was discovered is the one who was living there, according to LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey.

The fire department posted on X: "#LAFD#Photos of September 2, 2023 Agency Assist by @LAFD and allied agencies to recover apparent human remains within an impromptu shelter constructed beneath the Culver Blvd Bridge above #BallonaCreek in #PlayaDelRey. Note: 'Shed' is ~20' above waterline. Distance from shore to support wall ~50'. Slow moving (tidal) water is ~10'-15' deep."

“Upon the joint approval of LAPD detectives now leading the investigation and the Medical Examiner’s Investigator, LAFD personnel will assist in the safe and dignified removal of the body from the still difficult to access shed-like structure, at a yet to be determined time,” the fire department said.

The authorities said that the rescue team spent several hours attempting to reach the body. The teams on the scene used ropes and harnesses to reach the space after "hooking into the bridge infrastructure," according to the Sacramento Bee.

Officials believe the remains could belong to a 40-year-old male, but this has not yet been confirmed. KTLA reported that the body had not yet been removed from the area.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the authorities were initially alerted to the area after they received a call from "an apparently homeless person who believed there was a body beneath a bridge."

The caller was reported to have had some cognitive challenges and could not specifically locate where the bridge in question was.

Human remains discovered underneath Playa del Rey bridgewww.youtube.com

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