Nine human skulls and other 'human and animal bones' are found in a Compton store that sells Santeria products

  • Human skulls and other possible human and animal bones were found at the Senteria store on Friday
  • It is unknown if the bones were part of any spiritual practice or if they were legally possessed
  • Anthropologists and pathologists are expected to examine the bones 
  • Witnesses at the scene said someone reported suspicious activity

By Kelly Mclaughlin For Dailymail.com

Published: 00:46 EST, 23 January 2016 | Updated: 13:51 EST, 23 January 2016

Nine human skulls and other possible human and animal bones were found in a Los Angeles County store that sells Santeria products on Friday. 

Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt Steve Katz says deputies responded to the Compton business Friday after a woman complained of animal cruelty.

When investigators arrived, Katz says they found a skull inside a pot. He says the coroner's office collected the skull and eight other pots that may also contain skulls. 

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A botanica called Omi Relekun was closed in Compton, California, on Friday after deputies discovered nine human skulls in the store

A botanica called Omi Relekun was closed in Compton, California, on Friday after deputies discovered nine human skulls in the store

LA County sheriffís Capt. Steve Katz says deputies responded to the shop that sells spiritual items after a woman complained of animal cruelty

LA County sheriffís Capt. Steve Katz says deputies responded to the shop that sells spiritual items after a woman complained of animal cruelty

Los Angeles County coroner investigators were collecting items from the Compton store on N Long Beach Boulevard on Friday after the discovery.  

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is now looking into if the bones were 'legally possessed skeletal specimens', KTLA reported.

Anthropologists and pathologists are expected to examine the bones, which could lead to an identification of origin, according to KABC. 

Katz said there's no evidence of a homicide and that it appears the skull may have been purchased from a legal source and was being used for a religious ceremony.

Officials said there's no evidence of a homicide and that it appears the skull may have been purchased from a legal source and was being used for a religious ceremony. Pictured above is symbols on the store's front

Officials said there's no evidence of a homicide and that it appears the skull may have been purchased from a legal source and was being used for a religious ceremony. Pictured above is symbols on the store's front

He said that it's unclear whether animal remains were found.

The sign outside the store reads 'Omi Relekun' and describes itself in Spanish as a spiritual store and school. 

The store sells products related to Santeria, which is an Afro-Caribbean religion that mixes Roman Catholicism with a traditional African faith. 

Scholars say it was imported to Cuba through slaves brought from the Nigeria's Yoruba tribe. It is now widely practiced in the Caribbean. 

The investigation is ongoing and the sheriff's department provided no further details. 

Anyone with information has been asked to contact the sheriff's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. 

The sign outside the store reads "Omi Relekun" and describes itself in Spanish as a spiritual store and school

The sign outside the store reads "Omi Relekun" and describes itself in Spanish as a spiritual store and school

 

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