🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Human skeletal remains have been found near a beach in Australia, prompting police to issue a public appeal for information.
The remains, which include a large number of bones and an intact skull, were found near the popular Lee Point Beach in Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory region.
The skull was discovered among leaves and shrubbery on Wednesday by a bushwalker who then notified police. When officers set up a crime scene, they found the rest of the remains.
It is unclear as to how the person may have died, as forensic experts have not yet spotted any signs of trauma on the skull or the larger bones, but further analysis may still uncover clues.
Police officers think the number of bones indicates the death of only one person.
"If anyone feels that this is one of their loved ones, or someone they know, or if anyone has any information about this particular area or deceased person, we urge them to come forward," Karl Day, detective acting superintendent at the Northern Territory police force, said, according to Australian news outlet News.com.au.
Skeletal remains located – Lee PointNorthern Territory Police are investigating the discovery of skeletal remains which were discovered near Lee Point Beach on Wednesday afternoon.Detective...
Sometimes, forensic archaeologists are employed by police to identify evidence related to a possible crime and reconstruct the course of events that took place before someone's burial.
Experts have been considering the possibility that the bones may be remains from a native Australian burial site, though an archaeologist working with police has said they have not found any indication yet that this is the case, Day said in a press conference.
Police had kept quiet about the case until Friday to prevent people from going to the site and contaminating it.
"Police are seeking information from the public, requesting anyone with knowledge of this persons death to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number 10129744," a statement on the Northern Territory Police, Fire & Emergency Services website reads.
Meanwhile, forensic analysis is ongoing to identify the person associated with the remains.
Human skeletal remains have made headlines multiple times this year due to severe droughts affecting water levels in Lake Mead, Nevada.
Several sets were found in the lake between May and July as water levels there reached their lowest point in 80 years.
One set was found at Lake Mead's Swim Beach area in July, not long after another set of remains was found by two sisters who were paddleboarding in May.
Update, 9/30/22, 11:25 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include a new image and to clarify that the skull was found amongst leaves and shrubbery.
