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Sheriff schedules briefing on human remains found near Victorville

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department investigators excavate a site on the outskirts of Victorville that contained the skeletal remains of multiple people.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigators excavate a site on the outskirts of Victorville that contained the skeletal remains of multiple people.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Law enforcement officials in San Bernardino County will hold a news conference Friday with new information related to the discovery of the remains of four people found in a remote desert area, authorities said.

It is unclear what Sheriff John McMahon will discuss at his department’s headquarters in San Bernardino, although it could be related to the identities of the remains, found in an unincorporated area near Victorville off Interstate 15.

On Monday, a motorcyclist riding off-road through the desolate area spotted what appeared to be human remains and called authorities, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

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UPDATE: Buried bodies identified as members of missing McStay family

Coroner’s officials confirmed the remains were human and returned Tuesday with investigators to excavate the site.

On Wednesday, investigators continued to excavate two shallow graves. Skeletal remains also were found scattered nearby. Investigators excavated a third location too, but no remains were found there.

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In a statement Wednesday noting the completion of the excavation, sheriff’s officials described the recovery as a “very meticulous process in efforts to preserve all possible evidence.”

Investigators said it appears the remains had been buried for an extended period, and extensive work will be needed to identify the bodies. An examination by a forensic anthropologist is to determine ages and genders.

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Twitter: @rar

rick.rojas@latimes.com

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