Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating a suspicious death following the passing of an elderly Hoopa woman.  

On August 3, 2021, at about 12:52 p.m., Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Officers responded to a residence on Pine Creek Road in Hoopa for the report of an elderly female victim with serious injuries. The victim, identified as 73-year-old Barbara Jean McNeil, was transported to an out of area hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.

McNeil’s death is considered suspicious and an autopsy is planned for this week. McNeil’s cause and manner of death are pending the results of the autopsy.

This case is still under investigation. More information will be released as available and appropriate to the investigation.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity 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.