Body of 38-year-old woman found in shallow grave in Mojave Desert near Helendale

HELENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- A homicide investigation is underway in San Bernadino County after a woman's body was found in a shallow grave in the Mojave Desert, authorities said Monday.

According to the sheriff's department, deputies from the Victor Valley Sheriff's Station responded to the unincorporated area north of Helendale, just east of Highway 395 and north of Buckthorne Canyon Road, to help California Highway Patrol officers with a suspicious circumstances call.

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"While the reporting party drove eastbound on Buckthorne Canyon Road, they observed what initially appeared to be a mannequin," read an advisory shared by the sheriff's department. "Upon closer inspection, it was determined to be a deceased individual."

According to detectives, the body of a 38-year-old woman was found in a shallow grave. Her identification is being withheld pending confirmation from the coroner's division. The sheriff's department told Eyewitness News there are no missing persons cases involving a 38-year-old woman.

The circumstances surrounding the woman's death remain unknown.

The sheriff's department said anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. If you'd like to remain anonymous, call We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or visit wetip.com.