Body Found in Grave Near Home Said to Be Man in 30s

The body found in a shallow grave near a home in the rural Santa Monica Mountains was described Thursday as a white male in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The identity of the man, discovered Wednesday by a person inspecting the property, has not been determined, said Dep. Isaac Aguilar, a sheriff’s homicide investigator. Aguilar said the nearby house was vacant. He declined to reveal the names of the last occupants.

The house where the grave was found--down a private road off the 2400 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, about four miles south of Woodland Hills--is owned by George and Gloria Menedes of Santa Barbara, according to county property records.

Investigators would not reveal who found the body. George Menedes, contacted at home Thursday, declined to comment.

The discovery of the grave was made Wednesday at about 6 p.m. by a person who noticed a foul smell, according to Deputy Martin Rodriguez.

On Thursday morning, sheriff’s and coroner’s investigators--including a forensic archeologist--arrived at the scene to comb the property for clues.

Pete Elliot, now of Woodland Hills, lived in the house on the property until July as a renter. Elliot said he went to his former residence earlier this week to retrieve mail and did not notice anything unusual.

Elliot said he was told by investigators that the grave had been covered with sheets of wood.