Mummified Human Remains Found Inside Wall At Oakland's Historic Convention Center

A mummified body in the late stages of decay was found inside a wall at a convention center in Oakland on Wednesday, said authorities.

The grisly discovery was made by contractors working inside the center in California, while tearing apart a wall as part of a renovation.

According to Oakland police spokesperson Kim Armstead, the decayed body was found at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center, located next to Lake Merritt and Laney College, reported The Mercury News.

"Upon arrival, officers located what appears to be a deceased adult male, in late stages of decay,” Armstead said.

The report added that the body had likely been there for "several years." For the same reasons, it was impossible to determine the age of the person.

"The identity of the victim is unknown at this time and pending further forensic testing," Armstead added.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an investigation into the incident, and added the county coroner was on the scene.

The Henry J. Kaiser Center was owned by the city of Oakland, and closed in 2005, KPIX-TV reported. The city authorities decided to shut it down since the operating costs were too high to sustain its functioning. Though it was declared an Oakland-designated historic landmark, the structure was left to rot until 2015, when the City Council decided to give it a new lease of life.

The city had then reached a pact with Orton Development to lease the building, and turn it into a commercial and performing arts space. The construction of the project was scheduled to begin in 2020 but got delayed.

A similar incident was reported last November in Pennsylvania, wherein the body of a 1-year child was found inside the wall, months after its death. The child's mother was arrested after she confessed to killing the toddler and stuffing the remains inside a wall. Reports said she told the police she had placed the body in a crate, cut a hole in the wall, covered the body with blankets, and replaced the hole with drywall and painted over it. The incident came to light after authorities approached her asking about the baby, as neighbors had complained they stopped hearing the child a few months ago.