Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 24, 2020, at about 2:48 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the U.S. Forest Service and the California Highway Patrol to assist with a possible traffic accident occurring over an embankment, with a vehicle in the Klamath River, on Highway 96 near Milepost Marker 34.

Prior to deputies’ arrival, deputies learned that emergency personnel on scene had located a deceased adult male approximately 400 feet down the embankment.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Special Services deputies responded to assist in the recovery of the body and to search for any other possible victims.

Only one victim, the decedent, was located and recovered around 6:30 p.m.

Upon further investigation, deputies determined this death to be suspicious and it is now being investigated by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division.

This is an active investigation. More information regarding this case will be released when available and appropriate.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.