Full Notification

Los Angeles. Workmen discovered a dead body at a downtown recycling center this afternoon, after trash trucks from across Los Angeles County had dumped the afternoon delivery of refuse at the yard.

“Finding a body in the trash is quite rare,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division. “We’ve begun our investigation as if it were a homicide, but it is too soon to determine how this person died.”

Workmen at the L.A. Recycling Center, at 1000 N. Main Street, discovered the body among refuse they were sorting in the recycling yard, around 2:30 PM. They called police immediately.

Detectives cordoned off the area and began to sift through the trash to find any reference to the body’s origin. “We’ll be looking at the truck schedules, as well, to narrow down the local origin and the truck that brought in the body,” added Lt. Vernon.

The body was so decomposed that detectives could not immediately determine the race, gender, or age of the person. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to identify the person and the cause and manner of death. “Until then, this case will be classified as an undetermined cause,” Lt. Vernon explained.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective John Thacker, Central Homicide Unit, at (213) 842-0727. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.