Latest news with #MaraRodriguez
Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Teddy Bear Wrapped in 'Human Skin' Discovered: What We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Law enforcement is investigating a teddy bear found outside a California gas station encased in what looks like human skin. The item, described by witnesses as grotesque and alarming, was found at a bus stop near the entrance of the ARCO/AMPM station on Bear Valley Road in Victorville, and reported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD). SBCSD Public Information Officer Mara Rodriguez told the press: "A coroner investigator has taken possession of the object, and the investigation is continuing." South Carolina-based artist Robert Kelly—who goes by the name DarkSeedCreations and sells toys wrapped in a skin-like exterior on Etsy—has claimed responsibility for the bear saying: "Yes I made the bear in the news video." He added that he was not involved in leaving the bear at the bus stop. SBCSD and DarkSeedCreations have been contacted via email for comment. Police tape in Washington DC, on Monday July 7, 2025. This police tape was not at the scene of the teddy bear prank. Police tape in Washington DC, on Monday July 7, 2025. This police tape was not at the scene of the teddy bear prank. Aaron Schwartz/Sipa via AP Images The Context The bear is being investigated by a coroner, but the artist has said his bears are made from latex that looks like human skin. It is unclear at the time of publication if this investigation is ongoing, or if there will be a separate investigation into the person who left the bear at the bus stop. What To Know The bear was discovered on July 13 and then reported to police, who cordoned off the area where it was found. DarkSeedCreations wrote on Facebook to say he had sold a bear to someone in the Victorville area last week, but "did not have any knowledge of the buyers['] intentions." His Facebook page shows a number of disturbing creations, ranging from fake skulls to large creatures covered in what appears to be fake human skin. These works also appear on his Etsy site. Comments under his posts about the prank include "The break you are waiting for" and "At least you're gonna get more business from the article lol." What People Are Saying DarkSeedCreations on Facebook: "Yes I made the bear in the news video. Yes that's my etsy shop screenshotted on [the] news articles. Yes I did ship that bear to an etsy customer in Victorville CA last week. Yes you can still order one too. No I did not have any knowledge of the buyers intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me." What Happens Next It is unclear at this time whether the investigation into the teddy bear is ongoing. More than 20 people have this type of teddy bear from DarkSeedCreation's Etsy site in their Etsy baskets.
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Grizzly discovery as teddy bear 'wrapped in human skin' found dumped in front of convenience store
A teddy bear that appeared to have been wrapped in human skin and then dumped outside a gas station in California, made for a disturbing find for customers and led to a full-scale response by sheriff's deputies and a coroner. The discovery was made just after noon on Sunday in the small town of Victorville and saw San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies dispatched to the scene just after 12:30pm after receiving a 911 call that 'human remains' had been found. The scene left customers and law enforcement stunned as deputies quickly cordoned off the parking lot with crime scene tape while stunned bystanders looked on. Photos from the scene show a teddy bear slumped outside the store entrance, isolated behind yellow tape. The object was described as having a human-like face stitched onto its head and patches of skin-like material sewn across its torso appearing grotesque, but lifelike. The coroner's investigator could be seen delicately handling the bear with gloved hands, carefully turning it over before slipping it into a pink plastic evidence bag. 'A coroner investigator has taken possession of the object, and the investigation is continuing,' Sheriff's Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said in a statement. Although officials have yet to confirm whether the material is actually human skin, a Facebook post by an artist appeared to take credit for the item, calling it a misunderstood piece of horror art made from latex. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies were dispatched to the scene just after 12:30pm after receiving a 911 call that 'human remains' had been found 'You can't make this s*** up!' read the post on a page called DarkSeed Creations. 'One of my skin teddy bears has apparently been involved in a prank that brought police attention! This is f***** wild!' The man behind DarkSeed Creations is South Carolina-based artist Robert Kelly, who spoke to early on Monday morning. 'I'm still figuring out what is all happening,' Kelly said. 'It was just a regular order - we never expected this. We don't condone a prank that causes any illegal activity, but every artist wants credit for their work.' Kelly describes himself as the 'purveyor of the perverse... manipulator of the macabre... developer of the diabolical.' For the last 20 years, he has created 'grotesque art for the haunted attraction industry', including skin-like teddy bears and dolls intentionally designed to shock. Indeed, an item nearly identical to the Victorville bear had been spotted for sale on Etsy, advertised as a 'human skin teddy bear' crafted with synthetic materials to simulate gore. A screenshot of the $165 listing shows a disfigured bear with distorted features and fleshy textures eerily similar to the one found outside the AMPM store. Kelly confirmed that he made the bear seen in the news video and that he did in fact ship the bear to an Etsy customer in Victorville, California last week 'Yes you can still order one too.' he added. 'I did not have any knowledge of the buyers intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me.' Despite the rising possibility of a disturbing prank or artistic stunt gone awry, law enforcement is proceeding cautiously. The Sheriff's Department has not ruled out any possibilities, including whether the material could still be authentic. Authorities say forensic testing is underway, and no arrests have been made.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fire breaks out behind Adelanto liquor store as police search for armed man
A brush fire ignited behind an Adelanto liquor store Sunday night as deputies were searching for a man who had entered the business with a gun minutes earlier, although a concrete link between the incidents was yet to be established, authorities said. Both the weapon brandishing and the fire were reported about 8:15 p.m. at Pearmain Street and Cactus Road, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and San Bernardino County Fire Department logs. "Preliminarily, there was a report of a man with a gun that entered a liquor store," agency spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez said. "As the deputy was en route, it was reported there was a fire at the rear of the location." The armed suspect was not found during a search of the area. "It is not clear if the two incidents are connected," Rodriguez added. The blaze was extinguished within about half an hour. No further details were available as the investigation continued Sunday night. More: Dispute over auto repairs leads to assault, carjacking in Victorville Anyone with information can reach the Sheriff's Victor Valley Station at 760) 552-6800. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Fire breaks out behind Adelanto liquor store as police search for armed man
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Dispute over auto repairs leads to assault, carjacking in Victorville
A man is accused of attacking two mechanics with a metal pole and stealing one of their vehicles amid a dispute over automotive repairs in Victorville over the weekend, law enforcement officials said. The incident unfolded shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the 16700 block of Hughes Road, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department logs. A report of an assault initially drew a response from deputies, department spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez said. "They learned the two adult male victims were hit multiple times with a metal pole." Following the alleged attack, the suspect fled in a car belonging to one of the victims, she said. He was not found Saturday night. The injured men were taken to a hospital for treatment, Rodriguez said. An update on their conditions was not available. The violence stemmed from a dispute over auto repairs, she added. "The suspect was angry because the victims were working on his vehicle, and it was not ready for him to pick up." A person of interest in the case was detained Sunday, according to Rodriguez. The investigation remained "active." More: Artists says suspected human remains found in Victorville are actually his artwork Anyone with information can reach the Victorville Police Department at(760) 241-2911. Tips may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463. This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Dispute over auto repairs leads to assault, carjacking in Victorville
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Suspected human remains found outside Victorville gas station
Detectives are investigating the discovery of what was initially believed to be human remains outside of a gas station in Victorville on Sunday afternoon, officials said. The grisly discovery was made just after noon at an ARCO station at Bear Valley and Amethyst roads, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez. "A caller reported finding an object that appeared to be human remains," she said. Authorities cordoned off the area with yellow crime scene tape and summoned detectives and coroner's officials to the scene. "A coroner investigator has taken possession of the object, and the investigation is continuing," Rodriguez said. Witnesses posted comments and photographs online indicating a teddy bear spotted in front of the business was related to the discovery of the suspected remained. But sheriff's officials declined to describe exactly what coroner's investigators collected. "Further information regarding the investigation will be released when available," according to Rodriguez. No further details were released. Anyone with information can reach the Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division, Homicide Detail at (909) 890-4908. Information may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463. More: Central California man killed in crash along National Trails Highway in Newberry Springs (This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.) This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Suspected human remains found outside Victorville gas station
