News

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has identified the remains found Aug. 20 as missing person Julius Barthel Tripp and have determined his death was a homicide.

According to a news release, an arrest warrant has been issued for 18-year-old Bronson Moon Lewis Jr., who has been identified as a suspect in the case.

“A cause of death determination for Tripp is pending a forensic examination of his remains,” a news release states. “However, based upon the investigation thus far, deputies determined Tripp’s manner of death to be homicide and have identified a primary suspect as 18-year-old Bronson Moon Lewis Jr.”

Tripp, 42, was reporting missing July 26. The Hoopa resident’s vehicle was found on State Route 96 two days earlier. His remains were found in the area of the route, between Hoopa and Weitchpec.

Anyone with information on Lewis Jr.’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Read the full HCSO release below:

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified human remains recovered on August 20, 2020, as that of missing person Julius Barthel Tripp.

Tripp, age 42 of Hoopa, was reported missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office on July 26, 2020.

A vehicle associated with Tripp was reportedly located on Highway 96 near Milepost Marker 18.10 by the California Highway Patrol and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department on July 24. The agencies requested the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office after searching the surrounding area for Tripp with no results.

Through further investigation into this case, sheriff’s deputies determined Tripp’s disappearance to be suspicious.

On August 20, 2020, human remains were located in the area of Highway 96 between Hoopa and Weitchpec. The decedent was later positively identified as Tripp. A cause of death determination for Tripp is pending a forensic examination of his remains. However, based upon the investigation thus far, deputies determined Tripp’s manner of death to be homicide and have identified a primary suspect as 18-year-old Bronson Moon Lewis Jr.

A warrant has been issued for Lewis Jr.’s arrest on charges of murder (PC 187). Lewis Jr. is described as a Native American male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, 120 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Lewis Jr.’s whereabouts should contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.