
Editor’s note: This story and image have been updated to clarify the source of the photo.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Bureau of Land Management is investigating the discovery of dozens of piles of human cremains outside of Las Vegas, the 8 News Now Investigators have confirmed.
A person who 8 News Now is allowing to be anonymous stumbled on what they described as about 70 piles of ashes on a dirt road outside of Searchlight, they said while providing a photo. Searchlight is a rural community about an hour south of the Las Vegas valley off U.S. 95. 8 News Now is granting this viewer anonymity at their request.
An official with BLM confirms to the 8 News Now Investigators that the piles are human cremains and that the department is actively investigating.
What are generally referred to as “ashes” are pulverized bone, which are left over after a person is cremated.
There is no law in Nevada barring a person from scattering ashes on public land. BLM policy allows for a person to scatter cremated remains; however, the policy limits “commercial distribution of cremated remains.”
8 News Now Investigator David Charns can be reached at [email protected].
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Comments