Human skull and ‘related’ bones found near Laguna Canyon Road in Irvine

Irvine police are investigating after a city employee found a skull and other human bones in an isolated area off Laguna Canyon Road.

The worker was examining an irrigation system near San Diego Creek when he discovered a skull in the brush shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday, Irvine police spokeswoman Farrah Emami said.

Upon further inspection, the worker discovered more “related” bones, police said.

All the bones appeared to have been in the area for “many years,” according to the department. The Orange County coroner’s office will try to identify the remains and determine a cause of death.

It’s too early to tell if the death is suspicious or from natural causes, Emami said.