News

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has launched a homicide investigation after the burned remains of a woman were found Oct. 9 near Garberville on a South Fork Eel River bar.

According to a news release, CalFire personnel responding to a brush fire discovered the remains after putting it out.

“The remains were collected and an autopsy was conducted on October 13,” the HCSO release states. “The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Evidence located through the autopsy indicates that the female likely died prior to the fire and her death has been determined to be a homicide.”

Read the HCSO release below.

On Oct. 9, 2020, at about 6 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 1300 block of Redwood Drive in Garberville for the report of human remains discovered nearby on the South Fork Eel River bar.

Just prior to contacting the Sheriff’s Office, CAL FIRE personnel responded to the river bar area for the report of a brush fire. Upon extinguishing the fire, personnel located burned human remains belonging to an adult female.

The remains were collected and an autopsy was conducted on October 13. The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Evidence located through the autopsy indicates that the female likely died prior to the fire and her death has been determined to be a homicide.

This is an active investigation.

More information will be released when available and appropriate. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.