Man Arrested After ‘Human Flesh’ Teddy Bear Causes Panic in California
A disturbing teddy bear resembling human flesh prompted police and coroner response in Victorville, California—later revealed as a prank, leading to the arrest of a 23-year-old man
- A teddy bear resembling human flesh sparked panic at a California gas station
- The item, later confirmed as a horror-themed art piece, was planted by 23-year-old Hector Villanueva
- The artist behind the creation, based in South Carolina
A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a grotesque teddy bear designed to look like it was made from human flesh triggered panic and a police investigation at a California petrol station.
Hector Corona Villanueva was taken into custody on Monday after authorities say he planted the disturbing object outside an AMPM service station in Victorville on Sunday. The unsettling item, later dubbed a “macabre teddy bear,” caused alarm among residents, prompting a coroner’s response and the temporary closure of the station.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials confirmed that the bear was not made from any human remains, dismissing the incident as an elaborate prank. Villanueva faces charges of planting false evidence and causing a public emergency.
The bizarre discovery, made around midday on Bear Valley Road, led to public speculation about a potential serial killer, especially as images of the teddy bear and the crime scene spread online.
A video from the scene showed investigators and coroner officials handling the bear with gloves before sealing it in an evidence bag. Authorities later condemned the prank, stating, “Incidents such as this take up valuable emergency resources and put the public at risk, possibly delaying response time to legitimate calls.”
The bear’s creator, South Carolina-based horror artist Robert Kelly, claimed responsibility for the design but distanced himself from the prank. Speaking to People magazine, Kelly said he had sold the item to a buyer in Victorville through his Etsy shop. “Every artist wants credit for their work, so I said, ‘I made that,’” he noted.
In a Facebook post, Kelly added, “I did not have any knowledge of the buyer’s intentions nor was I involved in a prank on the other side of the nation from me.”
Kelly is known for his hyper-realistic horror props, including others made to resemble human body parts, commonly used for Halloween displays and movie sets.
The investigation into Villanueva’s motives is ongoing. Police are urging the public to avoid such hoaxes, highlighting the drain on emergency services and the potential to spread fear.
