Landscaper Discovers Human Skull While Mowing Lawn in San Antonio: Remains Identified as Missing 30-Year-Old

Representative image.

While performing routine lawn maintenance at Harrell Commercial Plumbing in San Antonio, Walter Stephens, a man from the United States, made a disturbing discovery of a decomposed human skull, according to the New York Post. Following his discovery, police investigations revealed additional human remains, including multiple bones, in a nearby creek area.

The gruesome finding occurred on September 15 during Stephens' regular landscaping duties. KSAT reported that Stephens initially mistook the object for a "dried cantaloupe."

"I saw what looked like a dried cantaloupe or something," Stephens recounted. "I picked it up, and the bottom part of the jaw stayed on the ground. When I turned it over and saw the teeth, I was like, 'Oh my God.'"

After the property owner contacted authorities, police discovered not only a detached jaw but several bones and other human remains. According to KSAT, these body parts were scattered across the area behind the business near Martinez Creek rather than concentrated in one location.

"It was a crazy experience," Stephens told KENS5, adding that he suspects the remains had been recently relocated to that spot, either by an animal or a person. "It's sad, but it was good I found him."

The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed on Thursday that the skull has been identified as belonging to 30-year-old Austin Tomas Wyrosdick.

Authorities will likely conduct further investigations to determine the origin of the remains and cause of death. Forensic analysis methods, potentially including radiocarbon dating as used in similar cases, may help establish when the death occurred.