A Caltrans crew discovered the person near the Mission Road entrance to the southbound 5 Freeway.
LOS ANGELES — Authorities opened an investigation Tuesday after a Caltrans crew found a person dead near an on-ramp to the southbound 5 Freeway in the Boyle Heights area, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The body was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. near the Mission Road on-ramp. Officers closed the freeway entrance while investigators examined the area and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner responded to recover the remains.
Authorities had not released the person’s name, age or gender by Tuesday afternoon. The cause and manner of death also remained undetermined, and officials did not say whether there were signs that the person had been struck by a vehicle or died elsewhere.
Several law enforcement vehicles were seen near the on-ramp later in the morning. The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the closure, warning drivers that access to the southbound freeway from Mission Road would be blocked for an unknown amount of time.
The closure was limited to the entrance ramp, according to available reports. Authorities did not announce a broader shutdown of the southbound 5 Freeway, though drivers approaching the Mission Road entrance had to use another route while the investigation continued.
No arrests were announced, and investigators had not identified a suspect or publicly described the death as a homicide. Officials also had not connected the discovery to a reported crash, assault or other incident in the area.
The medical examiner’s office is responsible for confirming the person’s identity and determining the cause and manner of death. That process can include an examination, a review of medical information and laboratory testing when necessary.
The person’s identity was expected to remain private until authorities completed the identification process and notified relatives. Officials did not announce when the medical examiner’s findings or other information about the investigation might become available.
The Mission Road on-ramp remained the focus of the investigation Tuesday. Authorities had not said how long the person may have been near the freeway entrance or whether the death occurred at the location.
Author note: Last updated July 21, 2026.