Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office release:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has utilized DNA technology to identify remains discovered in 2006 as Freddie Earl Long, DOB: 04/13/1943.

On 10/09/2006, a skull was located on timber company property in the Fieldbrook area. Deputies and detectives responded and searched the area where they located additional skeletal remains, clothing, and various personal items. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office and sheriff’s detectives conducted the investigation and concluded that there was no physical evidence that indicated foul play. The Coroner’s office brought in a team of experts to provide a forensic anthropological analysis on the remains. The experts from UC Santa Cruz conducted a thorough examination, however, no additional evidence was located, and no identifying features could determine the identity of the remains.  DNA and dental information were submitted to the Department of Justice and the information was entered into the Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MUPS), still no identification was ever made.

In 2022, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Othram Inc., a company specializing in forensic genetic genealogy to submit DNA for forensic genome sequencing. With the new DNA profile, HCSO conducted a genealogy investigation and determined that the remains belonged to Freddie Long. The closest living relative to Long was contacted and provided a DNA sample for confirmation. The relative also confirmed that Long had gone missing around 1993, however, he had never been reported missing to authorities.  With this updated information, the personal effects found with the body and the anthropological analysis also confirmed that the remains were Freddie Long.

Freddie Long, age 50 at the time of his disappearance, was last known to be living in the area of Big Bar, CA.  Long may have gone by the alias “Cowboy Fred.” Due to limited information about Long around the time he went missing, the Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Danielle Vickman at 707-445-7251.

To report information about other missing persons or unsolved homicides, please contact Investigator Mike Fridley at 707-441-3024. A list of the HCSO’s unsolved cases and current missing persons can be located at: https://humboldtgov.org/2772/Unsolved-Cases