Summary

In December 2003, an animal trapper discovered a shallow grave that had been dug up by a bear near Dog Creek Road in Shasta County, California. Skeletal remains were found scattered around the area. The remains belong to a male, estimated to be between 64 and 67 inches (5’4” – 5’7”) tall, with brown/black, straight hair approximately 14-18 inches long. The estimated time of death ranges from 1995 to 2003. Investigators at the time suspected homicide because the trappers also found handcuffs near the remains. It was unclear whether the man was killed there or if his body was dumped.

Near the remains, investigators recovered Levi’s brand work pants (size 36x30), a torn Kirkland (Costco) brand t-shirt (size XL 46-48), and a tag indicating the Kirkland brand was formed in 1995, helping to narrow the possible timeframe of death.

Despite investigative efforts, the man has remained unidentified for more than two decades. The case has been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP80861, but traditional forensic methods have not led to a positive identification.

In 2025, the Shasta County Coroner’s Office partnered with Othram to apply advanced forensic DNA testing. Othram will conduct DNA extraction and Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, building a profile that can be used for forensic genetic genealogy analysis.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Shasta County Coroner's Office at 530-225-5551 and referencing agency case C03-1162 or NamUs ID UP80861.

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