Man claimed he was digging for gold while high in East Oakland when he found severed human legs, police say

"The legs and feet were found in a case among strewn about Valentine's Day hearts, near a creek at Cesar Chavez Park on 37th Avenue, on Feb. 16, according to police. They'd been severed from the body by some sort of cutting instrument. It was the second such discovery Oakland had seen in two weeks, prompting a homicide investigation that still hasn't produced the name of the victim."

"The first discovery of human remains occurred last Feb. 1, near the railroad tracks on the 9700 block of San Leandro Street in East Oakland. The second was near Cesar Chavez Park two weeks later, about three-and-a-half miles from the first. In both cases, the remains were decomposed, and appeared that they may have been moved around multiple locations before being discovered, authorities said."

"The finder told police he'd stumbled upon the suitcase days earlier, while digging for treasure. Police found evidence of a hole that had been dug near the creek, but questioned how a pair of legs could have gone unreported for days after the initial discovery. The man was detained and questioned but ultimately released, authorities said."

Oakland police are investigating two separate discoveries of severed human remains found within two weeks in February. The first discovery occurred on February 1st near railroad tracks in East Oakland, followed by a second discovery on February 16th near Cesar Chavez Park, approximately three-and-a-half miles away. Both sets of remains were decomposed and appeared to have been moved to multiple locations before discovery. The second discovery involved a man who claimed he was digging for treasure while under the influence of methamphetamine when he found a suitcase containing legs among Valentine's Day decorations. Police remain skeptical of his account and are investigating whether both discoveries involve the same victim. Authorities have not publicly identified the victim or confirmed the victim's gender or age, and they are concerned additional remains may exist.

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