At a Glance
- A caller mistook a woman’s body for a mannequin in the Mojave Desert
- Detectives believe the victim is a 38-year-old woman buried in a shallow grave
- The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has launched a homicide investigation
- Why it matters: The remote desert location and lack of suspect information have left residents on edge and authorities appealing for tips
A Sunday morning stroll near a remote stretch of Highway 395 turned into a grim discovery when a passer-by spotted what looked like a mannequin lying in the sand near Buckthrone Canyon Road. The caller told sheriff’s dispatchers the figure appeared lifeless and artificial until a closer look revealed the truth: a deceased woman partially buried in a shallow grave.
Discovery in the Desert
The call came in shortly after dawn. Deputies arrived at 7:10 a.m. and cordoned off the area, a sparsely populated patch of desert between Helendale and the Mojave River. Crime-scene technicians photographed tire tracks, collected potential evidence, and worked to determine how long the body had been there.
Investigators say the victim may be 38 years old, though the San Bernardino County Coroner has not yet confirmed her identity. The sheriff’s department released no details about possible wounds or the exact cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation.
What Happens Next
Homicide detectives are canvassing nearby properties and reviewing traffic cameras along Highway 395, one of the few major routes through that section of the desert. They have not named a suspect or released a motive.
Anyone with information is asked to call:
- San Bernardino County Sheriff Homicide Detail: 909-890-4904
- Anonymous tips can also be submitted through WeTip
The department has not said how long the woman may have been buried or whether there are signs of a struggle at the scene.
