Human skull found in trash may be from ’Saint Death’ shrine

OXNARD, Calif. — A human skull and jawbone found in a trash bin here this week might have been part of a religious shrine known as "Santa Muerte" or Saint Death.

The bones appeared to be weathered and did not seem to be from a recent slaying, said Luis McArthur, spokesman for Oxnard police.

Items found with the bones appeared to come from a religious altar, police said.

McArthur said police were looking at whether the skull was part of a Santa Muerte shrine.

Santa Muerte is a Grim Reaper-like occult or religious figure venerated by some in Mexico and the United States. Santa Muerte often appears as a skeleton, like figures seen on the Day of the Dead at the beginning of November. Santa Muerte is often depicted wearing a long robe and carrying a scythe.

"We think it might have been something that someone had kept in their home," McArthur said.

While he does not know of any other similar incidents in which a human skull or other bone was found with a shrine, McArthur said images of Santa Muerte can be found in Oxnard, Calif.

Some people, for example, have a Santa Muerte figure hanging inside their vehicle, McArthur said.

Jason Gammon, who writes a blog called thedemoniacal.blogspot.com on occult matters, including Santa Muerte, said he knows of at least two other incidents in which a human skull was found with a shrine.

"It is certainly not unheard of," said Gammon, who lives outside Oklahoma City.

"Santa Muerte is the angel of death," he said, and her devotees "venerate her as a saint."

Despite the popularity of Santa Muerte among some in Mexico and the U.S., Gammon said the religious figure is not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church.

The skull also could have been used as part of Palo religion practices, which commonly feature a large cauldron with a skull and sticks, Gammon said. Palo developed in the Caribbean among African slaves and is related to voodoo.

McArthur knew of no law prohibiting anyone from possessing a human skull or other bones, but having some "in your possession would certainly raise some questions," he said, adding, "unless you are a doctor or something."

While desecrating a grave or cemetery is illegal, Gammon said people have bought human skulls over the Internet.

McArthur said homicide investigators and the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office were working to determine how the bones got into the trash bin and whose remains they were.

"It is too early in the investigation to tell," he said.

More than 20 people watched the investigation unfold at the site.

"I’d be interested in finding out who the body parts belong to," said Martin Jones, 72. "I wonder if it’s anyone I know."

(Reach Cindy Von Quednow at Cvonquedownvcstar.com and John Scheibe at Jscheibevcstar.com)