UPDATE, Nov. 2: The Fortuna Police Department identified the remains as 48-year-old Lewis William Leckliter of Fortuna, who had been missing for approximately three months.
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Human skeletal remains were found near a hiking trail in Fortuna’s Rohner Park on Saturday, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
After receiving a 9-1-1 call, a deputy coroner was dispatched to the scene to recover the remains, Public Information Specialist Samantha Karges said in an emailed statement to the Outpost.
“Due to the advance stages of decay, identification of the decedent was not immediately possible and is pending DNA comparison and analysis,” Karges said. “Foul play is not suspected at this time, however, an external exam to confirm manner of death is scheduled for tomorrow, November 1.”
The discovery was made by a juvenile female, according to Redheaded Blackbelt’s Lisa Music, who first reported it.
More information will be released when available, the Sheriff’s Office said. 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.