Possible human remains discovered outside a gas station in Victorville prompted an investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Sunday. However, the item in question was later identified as a grotesque teddy bear created by artist Robert Kelly from South Carolina.
The unsettling find occurred around noon at an ARCO station located at Bear Valley and Amethyst roads. According to Sheriff’s spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez, a caller initially reported the discovery, leading to the area being cordoned off with crime scene tape as detectives and coroner officials responded.
Witnesses shared comments and photos online that linked the teddy bear to the incident, depicting it as resembling human remains. Kelly confirmed that he had shipped the artwork to a customer in Victorville just the previous week and recognized the suspicious item from images circulating on social media.
In a Facebook post, Kelly clarified that he was not involved in any prank and emphasized the nature of the artwork. “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,” he stated. He also noted that the bear is crafted from latex.
While the Sheriff’s Department continues its investigation, Robert Kelly’s experience highlights the unforeseen consequences that can arise from unique expressions of art. Anyone with further information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division or provide information anonymously to the We-Tip hotline.
This story serves as a reminder of how art can elicit varied reactions and interpretations, sometimes leading to misunderstandings in the community.