Body Found Buried Near House in Topanga Canyon

A body was found in a shallow grave near a house in the Topanga area Wednesday evening, police officials said.

Investigators at the scene said the age and gender of the body had not been determined as of late Wednesday night.

They also said it was too early to determine if the body was that of a homicide victim.

“The investigation is just beginning,” said Deputy Martin Rodriguez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He said the body was found on the property by “a landlord” at about 6 p.m.

Another officer, Deputy Eileen Anderson of the Lost Hills-Malibu Sheriff’s Station, said the grave was about 4 feet deep. Sheriff’s deputies blocked off the area and would not permit news reporters to view the site.

The house, in the 2400 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, is owned by George and Gloria Menedes of Santa Barbara, according to county property records. Police officials would not release the name of the person who reported finding the body.

The house is at the end of an entry road. “It’s a pretty remote area,” said Peter Elliot of Woodland Hills, who rented the house until five months ago. “There are three houses up there altogether. It was a great place to live.”

Elliot said he had been at the house Wednesday afternoon to pick up some mail, but noticed nothing unusual. The house, he said, was undergoing renovations.