UPDATE, 10/15: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

Sheriff’s Office Detectives and the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate the death of a human body located off US 101 near Alderpoint Road, Garberville. The gender and identity of the deceased, along with the cause of death has not been determined due to the body’s decomposition. An autopsy is being scheduled in the near future to assist investigators in determining the cause of death. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

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UPDATE, 5:40 p.m.: A reader sent in this photo and explained that the image was taken about 3 p.m. 

According to the reader, there were approximately six law enforcement vehicles parked in the big turnout north of the Garberville exit. From there, deputies had hiked in to the homeless encampment. They’ve spent several hours at the site.

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UPDATE 2:04 p.m.: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release:

On 10-14-2014, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 regarding a possible deceased male at a transient camp off Sprowel Creek Road near the Alderpoint Crossing, Garberville. 

Deputies responded to the area described by the caller and located a deceased male. Due to body being partially covered, Sheriff’s Office Detectives were notified and requested to respond to the scene along with the Humboldt County Coroner prior to moving the deceased. At this time the cause of death is not known and it is being treated as a suspicious death. Further information will be released as it becomes available. 

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this investigation or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

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Original post below:

Humboldt County Deputy Coroner Trevor Enright has confirmed that his office is responding to an individual found dead in a homeless encampment near Garberville today.  

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, Lt. Steve Knight responded to our questions in an email. He wrote his office is investigating the death. “We are sending detectives to the scene,” he stated.

We will update with more information as soon as possible.