The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of Weitchpec man whose body was found Wednesday under the Trinity River Bridge at State Route 96 and Tish Tang Road.
According to a news release, deputies and Hoopa Valley Tribal Police officers responded to the scene around 2 p.m. and located the individual, later identified as Paul Dean James Jr., in thick brush.
“The subject had been deceased for what appeared to be several days,” the release states. “Investigators from the Humboldt County Major Crimes Division and a Humboldt County deputy coroner were then called to the scene to conduct a death investigation.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the 42 year old was “frequently seen in the Hoopa Valley” and a welfare check “Be on the Lookout,” or BOLO, had been issued for him on Tuesday after James had not been seen since Dec. 30.
“His manner of death has not been determined at this time and the case is still under investigation,” the release states, adding an autopsy will be conducted by the coroner’s office, after which “more information will be released.”
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is asked to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.
This article appears in The Battle Over Bear River.
Was he involved in that car crash that happened in that area a few weeks back