Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department officials are investigating human remains that were found on Tuesday by hikers in the Hollywood Hills.

Coroner’s department spokesman Craig Harvey said the body was found near a creek bed in the 3100 block of Oakshire Dr., located in the hills on the east side of the Cahuenga Pass above Studio City. The location had previously been reported as being in the 3300 block of nearby Bonnie Hill Drive.

According to reports, two hikers had observed what they thought were human bones at approximately 3:45 p.m., and a few minutes later, saw a human leg with pants still attached protruding from the ground. The hikers then ran to a nearby residence and notified authorities.

Paramedics arrived at  the scene and located the body at approximately 4:45 p.m. Investigators from the coroner’s office were in the process of excavating the body on Wednesday, Harvey said, and an autopsy would likely be performed within a couple of days. He was unclear whether the body was male or female, and said it was decomposed.

“At this point, we don’t know what the circumstances are,” Harvey said. “They are in the process of un-earthing the body and will bring it back to the coroner’s office for an examination. Depending on the condition, they will try to identify the body.”

LAPD spokesman Jack Richter said the police have currently classified the situation as a death investigation, and are waiting for the coroner’s office to complete its investigation. If it is determined to be a homicide, police will then launch a homicide investigation, he said.

“It’s skeletal remains,” Richter said. “You never know [what could have happened].”