Human Remains Found in Drainage Culvert Near I-10 in Cathedral City

A Caltrans maintenance crew discovered human remains in a drainage culvert near the Interstate 10 overpass at Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City on Tuesday afternoon.

According to the Cathedral City Police Department, workers made the discovery around 1:13 p.m. while conducting a routine inspection. Officers arrived and confirmed the remains were human, and detectives took over the investigation.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Coroner Bureau removed the remains from the culvert. A debit card found with the body has provided a possible identification, though officials say the Coroner's Bureau still needs to confirm it.

Due to the condition of the remains, a cause of death was not immediately apparent, according to police. The eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Date Palm was temporarily closed during the response but has since reopened.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the Cathedral City Police Detective Bureau at (760) 770-0300 or email tips@cathedralcity.gov.