The Los Angeles County Coroner and the sheriff’s homicide investigators are looking into human remains that were found near a trail above the Cobb Estate Sunday.

Altadena Sheriff Det. Lt. Joseph Dempsey said that hikers notified authorities Sunday afternoon that they had found human remains near a trail north of the popular hiking area.  Altadena Search and Rescue team members went to the site last night and determined that the coroner and homicide should be involved.  According to  Dempsey, the remains were to be recovered this morning, and the case is now in the hands of homicide investigators.

Thanks to our readers who alerted us to this story.  One of our readers wrote to say that there were coroner trucks, including a K9 unit, parked near the Las Flores reservoir this morning about 7 AM.   Several of our avid hiker readers said that deputies stopped them from entering the Cobb Estate this morning.

UPDATE: Here’s the official press release from the sheriff, which went out about 2 PM:

Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau investigators responded to the Mount Lowe Railway Trail, located in the Angeles National Forest, along with Altadena Search and Rescue Team members, to investigate the circumstances surrounding found human remains.

Trail hikers discovered the remains and alerted Alta Dena Sheriff’s Station personnel.

No evidence of foul play was detected.

There is no further information available at this time.