News Release No. 2007-2
April 10, 2007
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The Public's Assistance is Requested in Identifying Human Skeletal The San Juan County Sheriff's Office and the San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney/Coroner are seeking the public's help in identifying the skeletal remains found on a beach about a half mile south of Point Lawrence on Orcas Island March 20. The remains were discovered by a hiker before dark March 20, according to Sheriff William G. Cumming. A sheriff's deputy hiked to the remote area and confirmed the remains were human. For safety reasons because it had gotten dark, sheriff's officials onboard the sheriff's boat Guardian retrieved the remains the next morning. An examination of the remains by the Snohomish County medical examiner and a King County forensic anthropologist determined the remains were of a male, at least 30 years old, about 5 feet 9.5 inches (plus or minus 3 inches), and likely white, Hispanic or mixed Asian/Native American ancestry. He is believed to have died between two and 12 months ago. Identification may be possible by comparison of dental records, Sheriff Bill Cumming said. The remains are "primarily skeletal." "There are no indications of violence," Cumming said. The remains are believed to have washed onto the beach and have been in the water for some time. Cumming said law enforcement authorities in the region, as well as on Vancouver Island and in mainland B.C., have been notified. "This body could have traveled an extraordinary distance before coming to rest on Orcas Island," he said. Anyone with information is asked to please contact: Randall Gaylord, Prosecuting Attorney/Coroner at (360) 378-4101, fax (360) 378-3180, PO Box 208 Friday Harbor, WA 98250. |