ATHERTON, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – Landscapers were in for quite a surprise last week when they uncovered a Mercedes Benz buried in the backyard of an Atherton mansion.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
But despite initial reports and speculation, no human remains were found with the vehicle, according to the Atherton Police Department.
The gated home at 351 Stockbridge Avenue is 1.6 acres and is set in a quiet part of the tawny neighborhood. The car was buried four to five feet deep and was likely buried in the early 1990s, and the current property owners didn’t know it was there.
Cadaver dogs at the scene on Friday indicated that there might be human remains with the vehicle. But after a weekend-long search by multiple agencies using ground-penetrating radar, nothing has turned up.
It's unclear what the dogs were responding to.
"It's hard to say why they're indicating presence," said Atherton Police Chief Steve McCulley. "I can't answer that question other than we have pulled out all the stops and determined that there’s nothing there that we can find."
Investigators did find unused bags of concrete in the car for reasons, but it’s still unclear for what purpose.
While the investigation into the discovery is still ongoing, at least this more grisly element can be ruled out.
A relief for the police and for the owners of the property.
"They were very accommodating," said McCulley. "They're happy to get their lives back in order and for them to move on."
"And for us to move on," he added.
Some of the landscaping crews showed up Friday morning expecting to work but were called off as the investigation continues.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
