Human Remains Found In Long Beach Backyard
LONG BEACH (CBS) — Investigators in Long Beach have discovered a body buried in a backyard of a residence at Long Beach Boulevard and 68th Way.
Investigators said the remains may be that of a man reported missing ten years ago.
Most neighbors were shocked by the discovery.
"It's scary, just to know there was a body in my backyard," Shardae Vergara said about the chilling discovery in a yard tucked in the middle of a Long Beach neighborhood.
"I just got a text from my boyfriend. He said that the dogs were in backyard and the detectives were, I guess, looking at old case and looking for human remains," Vergara said.
Long Beach Police said that is what they found.
The remains may be that of Jose Vasquez, who lived in the building and was reported missing in 2002, according to police.
A family member told police a year later that he had been found in Mexico, but a tip Friday lead investigators to the home over the weekend, officials said.
"They were sifting the dirt and they had the gurney and putting little pieces on the gurney," said Donna Bradley, adding that crime tape surrounded their yard.
Neighbors told us that the family of 39-year-old Jose Vasquez moved out six years ago and no longer live in the area.
Residents did not know much about Vasquez, but now shudder knowing the gruesome discovery may have been here for years.
"It's kind of scary. Yeah, it's very scary, it makes me nervous," Bradley said.
Officials from the Coroner's office were still working to identify the remains.
Investigators would not discuss details surrounding Vasquez's disappearance.
