Local News in Brief : Bones Believed Tied to Cults, Suicide Pact

Skeletal remains believed to be those of a Hollywood devil worshiper and his wife, who killed themselves six years ago, were found Monday in a ravine near Griffith Park Observatory, police said.

Los Angeles Police Detective Sam Jacobellis said the man was “into satanic cults, which appeared to have played a role in the death pact.”

Names of the couple, who were in their 20s, were withheld pending positive identification and notification of relatives. Police said friends of the couple reported them missing in 1983.

Hikers first found a skull Sunday afternoon, Jacobellis said, and a forensic anthropologist went to the area Monday morning, finding a second skull and scattered bones. Investigators also found a handgun, a woman’s identification bracelet, rings and other jewelry bearing satanic references and symbols. One skull had a bullet hole.

Jacobellis described the woman as “quite beautiful and the daughter of a New York police officer.” The husband, friends told officers at the time, was in ill health and was despondent.