Human remains found near Palomar Mountain amid search for SoCal mom Angelica Brophy

Human remains were found in the area where California ER nurse and mother Angelica Brophy vanished last month — thickening the mystery around her disappearance.

Officials believe the remains are not Brophy’s at this time, according to a release Thursday morning. A volunteer search and rescue team found the remains Wednesday in an embankment near the 33000 block of South Grade Road in Pauma Valley.

Investigators did not enter the area at the time due to the harsh terrain and approaching darkness.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said they would start the search and investigation in the morning on Thursday. Detectives were at the scene Thursday morning investigating, according to NBC San Diego.

A San Diego County Sheriff’s Department patrol vehicle and a search and rescue truck with the sheriff’s office were seen near mile 4 of South Grade Road. Cones were set up around the vehicles.

It’s unclear the extent of the injuries the remains showed, or if they were of a man or woman. The San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide unit assumed responsibility of the investigation, and the medical examiner will determine the manner of death, according to the release.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at (858) 285‑6330 or after hours at (858) 868‑3200. 

The Oceanside Police Department remains in contact with the Brophy family.

Loved ones last saw the mother of two when she dropped her daughter off for summer camp on July 6.

Later that day, she was seen on surveillance video at the Harrah’s Resort Casino in Valley Center on July 6. Her car was later found in the parking lot of the Palomar Mountain State Park with no trace of where she went, with a parking slip dated less than an hour after she left the casino.

At that time, her family contacted rangers, kicking off a widespread search. The search has centered around Palomar Mountain State Park, where Brophy was known to hike. Detectives have already tried pinging her cell phone, but the phone is either dead or turned off.

Palomar Mountain State Park is 1,862 acres in size, with much of it containing coniferous forests. The road near where the remains were found leads up to the Palomar Observatory.

The search has been cold for Brophy since she disappeared, leaving her family desperately searching for answers.

A vigil held last month saw family and friends gathering to comfort each other and asking for any clues that could help in the search.

“Search your memory. Did you notice a vehicle, a person or anything that seemed out of place?” Brophy’s brother, Martin Fabregas, said.

He also sent a message to his sister letting her know how much she’s loved and said the family will never stop looking for her.

“Angelica, if there is anyway you can see this please know we love you beyond words,” Fabregas said.

“We are searching for you every single day. We are not giving up and we will never stop looking until you are home where you belong.”

Her husband, Brent Brophy, was there with their two kids and became emotional during the gathering.

Flyers for the missing mother describe her as standing 5-foot-5 and weighing around 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing black leggings and a gray T-shirt. Anyone with information on her disappearance is urged to contact the Oceanside Police Department, which is leading the investigation.

A social media campaign called “Bring Angelica Home” was launched to share information in hopes that she’s found.

“Our goal is to keep the community informed, coordinate support and search efforts, and help bring Angelica home,” a post read.

“Every share matters. Thank you for helping keep Angelica’s story visible until she is found.”

No foul play is suspected in her disappearance, police have said.

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