The brothers found a human skull and bones near a river bed in South Carolina
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The disturbing discovery of two teenage brothers playing by a South Carolina creek has sparked a death investigation after authorities say they found a human skull and dozens of additional bones.
Anderson County deputies responded around noon Sunday after a mother reported her children found what appeared to be human remains near a river.
The boys, identified as Benson and Colton Saxon, told Fox Carolina that they were playing when they saw something coming out of the ground.
“I dug it up, I thought it was just a rock,” said Benson Saxon.
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Investigators are checking the creek and culvert area where more bones were found. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)
But after answering it, his brother realized that it looked very serious.
Colton Saxon said they saw what looked like eye sockets on the object, which made them bring it home to their parents.
Their mother, Megan Saxon, initially believed the children had found animal bones.
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An Anderson County Sheriff’s Office official is examining what has been confirmed as a human skull found near a river. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)
“I honestly thought they found an animal. I didn’t think it was a person,” he told Fox Carolina.
However, after taking a closer look and seeing what appeared to be bone marrow, she called 911.
Deputies, detectives, forensic investigators and the coroner’s office responded, and began a thorough investigation of the area.
The coroner later confirmed that the skull was human.
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A search of the area led investigators to find approximately 45 to 50 bones, believed to belong to the same person.
Officials said the remains appeared to be “badly weathered,” suggesting they are recent and could be at least a decade old.
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Investigators are sifting through the soil as they look for other human remains at the scene. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)
“I want to say that these remains are probably ten years old or more because of the roots that were around the bones and things like that,” the coroner said, cautioning in the first instance, according to Fox Carolina.
The remains are believed to be between 15 and 25 years old and may have been carried downstream, according to WSPA.
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Larger machines are brought in as workers increase their search for more fossils. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)
Authorities noted there were no visible fractures to the skull and said it was too early to determine whether foul play was involved.
The ID has not been issued.
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Investigators examined the river bank where a human skull was found, leading to a death investigation. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)
Officials are working with a human pathologist, cadaver dogs and additional law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues.
Law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital that the remains are believed to belong to the same person, although the skeleton is incomplete.
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The Anderson County Coroner’s office and sheriff’s office continue to investigate.
Fox News Digital reached out to the coroner’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicide and immigration crime. Send news tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
