Human remains found at Coakley Bay Beach on St Croix, US Virgin Islands on September 24, 2020. Photo: Ernice Gilbert/VI Consortium

Regulars to the beach, the first discovery — a human skull — was made by the husband, who then called his wife after realising the significance of what he had found. The couple also called police, who showed up to the scene and said the VIPD's forensic unit was dispatched to investigate.

The Consortium was called to the location to witness the discovery. When the publication arrived, at least three other bone fragments were discovered, some from the roots of a tree near the ocean.

According to a police officer on the scene, people have been known to request burial at sea, suggesting that the finding could have been remains of sea burials that washed ashore. But it could also be remains dating back to the time of slavery, as the property just east of the beach, Estate Coakley Bay, was once a slave plantation.

Though the VIPD's forensic team has been assigned the investigation, the police force will most likely need to hire an anthropologist to help. The Consortium will follow up with the police department for an update.