Tip Of Buried Body From 1980s Leads To Search At Orange County Residence

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – A cadaver dog was brought to a Santa Ana home today as police investigated a report that human remains were buried in the backyard about three decades ago.

Authorities received a tip Wednesday night that a human body had been buried in the backyard of a home in the 600 block of South Center Street in the 1980s, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

When investigators went to the home, the owner — who has lived there about 16 years — said he anticipated a visit from detectives someday because workers a decade earlier had found two bones on his property, Bertagna said. The homeowner did not explain why he didn't alert authorities right away.

"He said he hired some guys to clear out the yard, and they found two bones and a knife, and the bones appeared to be possibly human," Bertagna said. "They discarded the bones, and the workers showed (the property owner) where they found the bones, and then they filled in the yard with 6 inches of cement."

Based on the tip and the discussion with the homeowner, police brought in a cadaver dog, which indicated there may be human remains at a spot where the resident said the bones were found, Bertagna said.

Workers put holes in the cement to let it air out and will bring the cadaver dog back this afternoon to see if they get another hit, Bertagna said. If so, then police will excavate the yard to look for more clues, the corporal added.

"We're also obviously looking into who lived there and if there were any missing kids ...," Bertagna said.

• Also see: Second Suspected Murder-Suicide This Week Reported In Beaches Area

— By City News Service