Severed Arm Found by Road

Authorities are investigating the weekend discovery of a severed human forearm along California 94 in Dulzura.

According to Lt. John Tenwold of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, a Los Angeles resident found the arm at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday and reported it to authorities.

Because of the lateness of the hour, authorities delayed a search for further evidence until Sunday, when 50 members of the Sheriff’s Department search and rescue team and deputies from the Lemon Grove station scrutinized the area from daybreak until about 1:30 p.m. No new evidence was discovered.

The arm itself appeared to have been recently severed, according to Sgt. Roy Stamper.

“Apparently it was severed by a very sharp instrument,” Stamper said. “It was a clean cut.”

No jewelry or other identifying marks were apparent, and Stamper did not know whether the limb was that of a woman or man.

Stamper said investigators hadn’t told him if it was a left or right arm.

While no body has been found, homicide detectives are continuing to investigate a “possible death,” Tenwold said. The arm was taken to the county morgue.

Deputy Coroner Everett Mauger said such finds are not unheard of--his office receives stray body parts like this one “once or twice a year,” he said.

While no one has yet analyzed the arm, he said, it is possible that the approximate height and build of its owner can be established from studying its dimensions.