Mummified Babies from 1930s Found in L.A. Apartment Building

KTLA News ^ | August 18, 2010 | Eric Spillman

[Beaten Valve]

LOS ANGELES -- An investigation is under way after the skeletal remains of two babies, believed to be at least 70 years old, were found wrapped in historic newspapers in the basement of an apartment building in the Westlake District of Los Angeles.

The grim discovery was made Tuesday evening in the 800 block of Lake Street, near James M. Wood Boulevard.

Workers were clearing out the basement for renovations when they spotted the remains inside a steamer trunk, LAPD Lt. Cory Palka said.

The babies' bodies were wrapped in Los Angeles Times newspapers dated between 1930 and 1934. News headlines at the time were about Depression-era gangster John Dillinger.

Also inside the trunk were photographs, ticket stubs from the closing ceremonies of the 1932 Olympic games and some personal letters to family members.

It's believed the remains may be 70 to 80 years old.

[Beaten Valve]

Only in LA...

[thesharkboy]

...two babies, believed to be at least 70 years old

I know that people are maturing later these days, but this is ridiculous.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The personal letters and DNA testing should make it possible to identify the remains. Still bizarre.

[Malsua]

Maybe they died of natural causes...flu, Scarlet fever, etc.?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Eric needs a competent editor, or at least a headline writer. They remains were either mummified or skeletal. You cannot have it both ways.

[OldNavyVet]

These kids died during depression days, providing us with an example of what we’ll see in the upcoming Obama depression.

[Beaten Valve]

And here I’m only use the LA Times for wrapping my fish...

[Izzy Dunne]

They remains were either mummified or skeletal. You cannot have it both ways.

The site, possibly changed since this was posted, shows "mummified" both in the headline and the article body, where this copy shows "skeletal".

[Martin Tell]

Bush’s fault.

[thackney]

Unless these infants were somehow put in a database, DNA is not going to identify them. It is also highly unlikely their parents from 80 years ago will be in any DNA database.

[240B]

Respectfully disagree. Many anorexia patients are referred to as skeletal even while they are alive.

Pelosi is frequently described as skeletal in appearance.

You taking the word too literally. IMO

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

They may have cousins, nephews or neices around.

[UCANSEE2]

You cannot have it both ways.

I thought that was the basis of the liberal mind.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“Pelosi is frequently described as skeletal in appearance.”

I thought she was described as being Skelator!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skelator

[ansel12]

These kids died during depression days, providing us with an example of what we’ll see in the upcoming Obama depression.

With Olympic ticket stubs, indicating disposable income.

[dsc]

“They remains were either mummified or skeletal. You cannot have it both ways.”

I take that as just one more piece of evidence that “reporters” are stupid.

[historyrepeatz]

The Times also makes great bird cage liners or potty trays for dogs.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

When referring to human remains the adjective “skeletal” means without significant amounts of soft tissue, while mummified implies preserved dessicated soft tissue. When referring to a live person, “skeletal” means gaunt, emaciated, like concentration camp survivors, while “mummified” always refers to Nancy Pelosi.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The headline writer and reporter may not be the same person or even in the same room. It now appears that the headline and text agree on mummified. Still a weird story.

[Fresh Wind]

I think you have Pelosi confused with Alan "Skelator" Colmes.