Los Angeles County authorities have officially identified human remains discovered earlier this week at a remote Lancaster property. The victims are two local men who were previously reported missing, officials confirmed on Thursday.
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Verify & Continue ReadingVictims Identified by Medical Examiner
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased individuals as 61-year-old Ricky Phillips and 46-year-old Edward Perez. According to police records, Phillips was reported missing on Sept. 10. Perez was reported missing on Sept. 19.
Homicide detectives uncovered the bodies in a shallow grave near 50th Street East and Avenue F during an active missing persons investigation. The intensive search operation involved cadaver dogs, backhoes, and specialized forensic teams excavating near dilapidated structures, abandoned recreational vehicles, and a greenhouse.
Investigation Shifted to Homicide
Law enforcement officials initially arrived at the sprawling, remote 15-acre property to execute a search warrant tied to the missing persons inquiries. The discovery of the buried remains immediately shifted the operation into a full-scale homicide investigation.
Aerial footage and neighbor accounts described the location as heavily cluttered with debris, abandoned vehicles, and discarded items. Crews continued working through the week to process the scene and search for additional evidence. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau leads the ongoing inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims found buried in Lancaster?
The victims are 61-year-old Ricky Phillips and 46-year-old Edward Perez. Both men had been reported missing earlier in September.
When were the bodies discovered?
The human remains were discovered earlier in the week during the execution of a search warrant near 50th Street East and Avenue F in Lancaster, California.
What agency is handling the investigation?
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau leads the investigation, working alongside the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
How were the remains located?
Investigators used cadaver dogs, heavy equipment including backhoes, and forensic excavation teams to locate the shallow gravesite on the remote property.
Are there any suspects in custody?
The investigation remains in its early stages. Authorities have not yet announced any suspects or detailed a specific motive behind the deaths.
