SAN DIEGO (CBS 8/CNS) - Partial human remains were discovered on the walking path at Lake Hodges in Escondido Saturday.
At around 7:30 a.m., San Diego County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to a report of suspicious circumstances near the 19900 block of Lake Drive.
That's when they discovered partial skeletal remains near the shore, Lt. Kenn Nelson said.
A human jawbone, femur and some other parts were discovered by a woman in the area walking her two dogs, who noticed the bones along a well-traveled trail, Sgt. Jack Reynolds, San Diego County Sheriff's said.
"At this point, we can't tell if it's a male or female, or how long the remains have been there. It's been longer than a week, I mean, it is pretty much decomposed and it's skeletonized," Sgt. Reynolds said.
Ryan brown tried to make the most of his hike with friends, despite walking upon the crime for his first time at Lake Hodges.
"It's just kind of a scary thing to know that's going on out here. Someone's missing somebody that they love," Brown said.
Detectives don't know the gender or the length of time the skeletal remains have been out, or if it was foul play or suicide.
The Medical Examiner's Office has picked up the remains and will try to determine the identification and if this is part of a missing person's case.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974-2321, after hours at (858) 565-5200. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
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