NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery this week near Willits of what appear to be charred human remains.
Lt. Greg Van Patten said the sheriff’s office was notified shortly before 12:30 p.m. Thursday of a suspicious circumstance in a secluded area adjacent to Highway 162 near the 1.04 mile post marker.
Van Patten said the reporting person stated they were in the area when they noticed the remnants of burnt ground. Upon closer inspection the reporting person observed what appeared to be bones amongst the burnt ground.
Based upon the information, sheriff's detectives responded to the location and initiated an investigation, according to Van Patten.
Upon arrival the detectives located several badly charred bones, which investigators believe to be of human origin at this time, Van Patten said.
He said detectives will be enlisting the assistance of a forensic odontologist and forensic anthropologist in attempting to identify if the bones are human.
Anyone that has information that could assist with this investigation is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Tip-Line by calling 707-234-2100.