Hikers find human skull near Griffith Park trail

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Authorities said a pair of hikers found a human skull near a popular hiking trail in Bronson Canyon Saturday afternoon.

Authorities said the call came in around 2 p.m. on reports of remains found on the Brush Canyon Trail in Griffith Park. Park rangers located the skull and authorities said that the remains appeared to have been in the area for a few years.

The hikers made the grim discovery after they went off the main trail. Detectives had to use a rope to rappel down about 100 yards to examine the skull and search for any other evidence.

Human remains have been found before in Bronson Canyon. In 2012, the body parts of Hervey Medellin were found in the area. Last year, his roommate, Gabriel Campos Martinez, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Other hikers in the area said it is easily accessible it provides coverage for someone trying to get away with murder.

"It's pretty rugged and a lot of shrubberies and bush. You know, once you get off the beaten trail anything could be happening there," Paula Mindays said.

The coroner said it will take more than one week to determine the age and gender of the remains. The investigation was ongoing.