Mystery as 'dozens of piles of cremated human remains' found outside Las Vegas

Officials are investigating following the bizarre discoveryof 70 piles of human remains.

The remains, found on a dirt road outside the US city of Las Vegas, Nevada, were found on Monday close to the rural community of Searchlight, and around one hour south of Las Vegas Valley near Route 95. An official has since confirmed that the piles contain human remains.

The piles of “ashes”are pulverised bone left over after a person is cremated. A source said they stumbled upon the piles of the remains, providing a photo of the grim scene as an investigation into the bizarre dump has been opened.

READ MORE: 'I'm a mum with kids and two XL Bullies – Karens need to stop telling me to get rid'

READ MORE: 'I do a line of cocaine before I go to work - my kids don't know about my drug shame'

It is not clear where the cremated remains came from and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has opened an investigation following the discovery. The organisation is responsible for administering federal lands in the US.

There is no law that prevents people from scattering ashes on public land. BLM policy says a person’s cremated remains can be scattered, but “commercial distribution of cremated remains” is not allowed.

Also in Las Vegas: some in the famous party city has said tourism slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad.

Some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s tariffs and immigration policies for the decline. The city known for lavish shows, endless buffets and around-the-clock gambling welcomed just under 3.1 million tourists in June, an 11 percent drop compared to the same month in 2024.

According to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, there were 13 percent fewer international travelers, and hotel occupancy fell by about 15 percent. The Vegas dip mirrors a national trend. The travel forecasting company Tourism Economics, which in December 2024 anticipated the US would have nearly 9 percent more international arrivals this year, revised its annual outlook to predict a 9.4 percent drop.

Some of the steepest declines could be from Canada, the company said. Canada was the largest source of visitors to the US in 2024, with more than 20.2 million, according to US government data. Canadian airline data shows fewer passengers from north of the border are arriving at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

Air Canada saw its passenger numbers fall by 33 percent in June compared to a year earlier, while WestJet had a 31% drop. The low-cost carrier Flair reported a whopping 62 percent decline. Travel agents in Canada said there’s been a significant downturn in clients wanting to visit the US overall, and Las Vegas in particular.