In a bizarre incident that rattled the quiet city of Victorville, California, a teddy bear that appeared to be made of human skin was found sitting outside a local gas station, sparking fears of a serial killer on the loose. The discovery, made on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at an AMPM convenience store on Bear Valley Road, triggered a full-scale police investigation and emergency response that captivated the community and drew national attention.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, a customer and an employee at the gas station spotted the grotesque toy, which was disturbingly realistic with messy stitching, smears of blood, and a distinctly human-like nose. They promptly called the police, reporting a "teddy bear made of what looked like human flesh." The deputies arrived shortly after noon, located the bear, and began their investigation.
Given the macabre nature of the object, authorities summoned the deputy coroner and forensic experts to determine whether the bear contained any human remains. The coroner's office took possession of the bear for examination. Forensic Pathologist Dr. M. Phan-Tang confirmed that the object was not made from human tissue, stating, "Our investigation found these dolls being sold on a website with the claim that the dolls are ‘made of human skin.’" The bear was ultimately identified as a highly realistic latex creation, dispelling the fears that it was an actual human skin artifact.
The investigation soon revealed the origin of the eerie bear. Robert Kelly, a South Carolina-based artist and founder of Dark Seed Creations, took credit for crafting the teddy bear. Kelly specializes in hyper-realistic horror props and special effects, creating items for exhibitions, haunted attractions, and movies. He confirmed to NBC News that he had made the bear using latex live castings of real human models, which adds to the unsettling realism of his creations. Kelly explained, "We've put skin on everything from guitars and teddy bears to couches," and noted his inspiration from horror icon Clive Barker's work.
Kelly said he shipped the bear to a customer in Victorville last week, with tracking confirming delivery on July 12, 2025. Upon seeing photos of the bear circulating online on July 13, Kelly recognized it instantly as his own work. In an interview with Eyewitness News, he admitted, "I guess I’d probably be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying it a little bit. You know, I’m an independent artist... a little attention is sometimes good regardless of not being able to condone whatever." However, he emphasized that he had no knowledge of the buyer's intentions and was not involved in the prank.
The buyer, identified as 23-year-old Victorville resident Hector Corona Villanueva, allegedly purchased the bear online and deliberately left it outside the gas station as a prank. Villanueva did not notify authorities about the stunt, and his actions caused significant alarm in the community. On Monday, July 14, 2025, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department arrested Villanueva on charges of causing a false report of an emergency and planting false evidence. The department stated, "Incidents such as this take up valuable emergency resources and put the public at risk, possibly delaying response time to legitimate calls for service."
Local officials expressed frustration over the incident, highlighting the unnecessary strain on first responders. The sheriff's office underscored the seriousness of such pranks, noting that they divert critical resources away from genuine emergencies. The investigation into the full circumstances and motives behind the prank is ongoing.
Despite the initial shock and fear the bear caused, the incident ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of hoaxes that exploit public fears. The macabre teddy bear, while a work of art designed to shock and entertain horror fans, became a real-life source of panic and disruption in Victorville.
Robert Kelly's Dark Seed Creations continues to sell similar horror props online, with the "human skin teddy bear" priced at $165. Kelly has been producing such hyper-realistic items for over two decades, catering primarily to haunted attractions, novelty stores, and collectors. While his art pushes boundaries, this episode illustrates how context and intent can dramatically alter public perception.
For the residents of Victorville, the unsettling discovery has left a lasting impression, reminding everyone how quickly art and reality can collide. As authorities work to prevent similar incidents, the community hopes for a return to normalcy without further scares.
