Southern Humboldt missing person, Christopher Michael Banfill, has been found at a property he was renting in Rio Dell, deceased. The Humboldt Co. Coroner’s Office is currently working to learn what was the manner and time of death. Rio Dell Police Chief Graham Hill confirmed that Mr. Banfill was found by a family member. “Foul play is not suspected,” Hill said. He confirmed that Banfill had been dead an extended period of time.
Banfill had been missing since July 16th. His vehicle was found at the Sherwood Forest Motel in Garberville on the 18th of July. It was reported as abandoned. When sheriff deputies arrived, they learned the vehicle had been parked at the motel for three days and did not belong to any of the motel’s occupants. A records’ check on the vehicle showed that it belonged to Christopher Michael Banfill, (36)and a resident of Garberville.
On 07-22-2012, deputies spoke with Christopher’s’ wife who contacted the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and filed a missing persons report regarding Christopher. She told the deputies his behavior was out of character and he may have been having medical issues.