"It's pretty badly burned," said Carl Baker from the city of Redlands.
Detectives were unable to start the investigation until the sun came up Wednesday morning. Although they are investigating it as a homicide, authorities admit they have no idea how the body got there.
Investigators have not yet identified the body, but said the remains appear to be a man.
The body was found in an area sparsely populated, and the land where the body was found is private property, set for development. The property has been vacant for years.
Anyone with information is urged to call Redlands Police at (909) 798-7681.
