Amid the devastation of the Palisades Fire, human remains were recovered among burnt out rubble in Malibu Thursday, officials confirmed to KTLA.
The now more-than 19,000-acre fire erupted Tuesday, Jan. 7 around 10:30 a.m. and quickly swept through residential and commercial districts, prompting tens of thousands to evacuate as flames destroyed businesses and homes.
While officials had previously confirmed five deaths related to the Eaton Fire burning near Pasadena, investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said on Thursday that there have been two Palisades Fire-related fatalities, including the body of person found late last night in Malibu.
According to a report from KTLA’s Chris Wolfe, a missing persons report filed with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department led investigators to the area of Las Flores Canyon Road near Duke’s restaurant in the 21100 block of Pacific Coast Highway.
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Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA) -
Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA) -
Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA) -
Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA) -
Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA) -
Several injuries have been reported in the Palisades Fire and medical resources responded to Duke’s where multiple burn victims were seen. January 2025. (KTLA)
No information was provided on the possible age and or gender of the victim, but they were located among the rubble of a charred structure where only a cinderblock retaining wall with a brick fireplace and chimney were still standing. There were also several burnt-out vehicles nearby.
“Circumstances are anyone’s guess right now,” Chris Wolfe reported. “Was the victim trapped, incapacitated, unable to evacuate or call for help or did that individual simply decide not to leave until it was too late? Whatever the case, the outcome is heartbreaking.”
While the L.A. County Medical Examiner’s Office and homicide detectives will investigate the death, many of the scenes where bodies have been found remain unprocessed due to the ongoing dangerous around the fires, including spot fires, downed power lines and gas leaks.
“Information is still very preliminary, but there have been multiple deaths in the fire areas,” an LASD spokesperson told KTLA. “Once homicide investigators can assess the scenes, more information will be provided.”
Many worry there will likely be more of these grim discoveries in the coming days and weeks.
