The discovery was made by the homeowner near the intersection of McKinley Avenue and East 79th Street around 10:10 p.m.
How long the victim had been there and the cause of death will be up to the coroner to determine, but police say the homicide was likely committed miles from where the body was found.
"There's evidence that the person may have been wheeled in the trash can from one location to another," Los Angeles police Lt. John Jenal said.
The victim's identity has not been released pending notification of kin.
Detectives were reportedly searching for a specific male suspect in connection with the victim's death. No further information was released.
CNS contributed to this report.
