A viral Etsy art piece sparked a police investigation in California after a disturbing teddy bear made from what appeared to be human skin caused a major scare.
On July 13, officers in Victorville, California were dispatched to an ARCO gas station after someone reported what they believed to be human remains near a bus stop. According to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Mara Rodriguez, the report came in shortly after noon.
“A caller reported finding an object that appeared to be human remains,” Rodriguez confirmed.
Photos quickly spread online, showing what looked like a stitched-together teddy bear made of flesh, sitting ominously outside the station at Bear Valley and Amethyst Roads. Witnesses described the scene as straight out of a horror film.
But it wasn’t a crime scene; it was art.
Artist’s disturbing teddy bear goes viral after police investigation
Robert Kelly, an artist based in South Carolina and owner of DarkSeed Creations, stepped forward to reveal the disturbing bear was actually one of his own creations. Kelly specializes in macabre, horror-themed artwork, including unsettling teddy bears made to look like they’re crafted from human skin.
“Lol so about an hour ago I found out a news article in Victorville, CA has one of my skin bears used in a prank at a bus station there,” Kelly wrote on Facebook. “My phone is dying from trying to keep up with answering everyone.”
Kelly confirmed the bear was sold last week through his Etsy store and shipped to a customer in Victorville.
“Yes, I made the bear in the news video. Yes, that’s my Etsy shop screenshotted on the news articles,” he added. “No, 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.”
Despite looking shockingly realistic, Kelly clarified none of his creations are made with actual human material. His Etsy shop, DarkSeedCreations, features a wide range of grotesque collectibles, from bears and ball caps to horror masks, all crafted with synthetic materials.
While the incident gave local authorities a serious fright, the viral confusion has turned into a major business boost for Kelly.
“I really am trying to keep up with all the messages and attention, but I still got work to do too,” he said.
As of now, the identity of the prankster who left the bear at the gas station remains unknown, but Kelly’s creepy creations are flying off the digital shelves.
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