Eureka Police Dept. Press Release:

On May 26, 2013, Raymond Lawrence Anderson was reported to the Eureka Police Department as a missing person.  He had gone to a Native Sons’ convention in Redding, CA, and did not return to work the following day.  Anderson was reported to have attended a convention dinner and said he was feeling ill that evening.  He was described as always having a “bubbly” personality and a friendly Good Samaritan type of person. 

An extensive search was started with many of the members of the Native Sons spending hours driving routes most likely taken by Anderson. Missing person flyers were distributed along these routes. The CHP flew Highways 299 and 36 with fixed wing aircraft and helicopter.  No sign of Anderson’s vehicle was located.

DNA samples were collected from one of Anderson’s sisters and from a brother.  The DNA samples were sent to the DOJ Lab in Richmond, CA, and stored in their DNA computer bank for possible matching with unidentified remains. 

On July 9, 2013, a CalTrans worker reported finding Anderson’s vehicle off the side of the road off of Highway 299.  The CHP and Trinity County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Coroners offices responded to the location.  The terrain is described as a very steep, almost vertical embankment.  The vehicle was reported to be nearly impossible to see from the air or from the ground.  Skeletal remains were located next to the vehicle with identification belonging to Anderson.  However, visual identification was not possible.  Due to Anderson having dentures, a dental comparison was also not possible. 

The Trinity County Coroner’s Office sent a portion of the left femur from the remains to the DOJ Lab for comparative analysis to the DNA already provided. 

On 9/25/2013, the Eureka Police Department received notice from the Trinity County Coroner’s Office that they received confirmation from the DOJ that there  is “strong evidence that the decedent is related to this family.”  Anderson’s relatives were notified that the remains had been positively identified.

Previously: