However, the bodies were discovered on January 23, 2024, in El Mirage, a small unincorporated community in the Mojave Desert, approximately 50 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The sheriff's office initially responded to a wellness check request off Highway 395, where they found five deceased individuals. Another body was discovered the following day.
The identities of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been released. Aerial footage from CNN affiliates showed what appeared to be a brutal crime scene, with a dark blue SUV with a blown-out passenger window and an open door, as well as a silver minivan at the scene.
Authorities have confirmed that arrests have been made in connection with the case, but they have not provided any further information regarding the number of individuals arrested or their identities. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has scheduled a news conference for Monday evening to discuss the latest developments.
As the investigation continues, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Specialized Investigations Division detectives have been called to the scene. SkyCal overhead footage revealed two cars near where the bodies were found, one of which appeared to have bullet holes, surrounded by evidence markers.
Amy Maetzold, a digital producer at KCAL News, will be covering the press conference. Maetzold has previously worked as a producer at NBC15 and Spectrum News 1 in Wisconsin, as well as KEYT in Santa Barbara, where she won a group Emmy Award for team coverage on the Alisal Fire.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected.
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