CA CA - Mt Laguna, WhtMale 40-50, UP126767, Found in Laguna forest by ind next to backpack w/gun underneath UID, Jun'24

[ProudSuggestion3528]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
NamUs: UP126767
UID White/Caucasian Male
Mt Laguna (San Diego Co), CA
DBF: June 1, 2024

Case Numbers​

Case Number: 2024-01695

Demographics​

Biological Sex: Male
Race / Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 60
Estimated Age Range (Years): 40-50
Estimated Year of Death: 2024
Estimated PMI: 2 Months
Height: 5' 6"-5' 9"(66-69 inches) , Estimated
Weight: Cannot Estimate

Circumstances​

NamUs Case Created: August 1, 2024

Location Found Map​

Location: Mount Laguna, California 91948
County: San Diego County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped): N 32 49 26 W 116 25 10
Found On Tribal Land: No
Circumstances of Recovery: On 06/01/2024 an individual was in Laguna Forest when they located a backpack near the decedent's skeletal remains. A revolver was located underneath the decedent's body.

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Details of Recovery​

Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Partial remains with soft tissues

Physical Description​

Hair Color: Unknown
Eye Color: Unknown

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No Distinctive Physical Features Information Entered​

Clothing and Accessories​

Clothing: tan pants, "PrAna 34/32" 2 shoes, "Altra" black/red size US 11 4 socks, 3 jackets, size L blue shirt, gloves "REI" size Mens L - On The Body

0 Missing Person Exclusions/Rule outs as of 9.6.2024

 

[ProudSuggestion3528]

Sites-alt-us-Site

www.altrarunning.com

I believe these are the the socks that this uid wore.

 

[Essbee]

This is crazy! I have not heard any mention of this in the local media.
Putting in the GPS coordinates gives a better estimate of the location. Looks like the decedent was found right off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Many people hike the PCT from South to North starting in April.

 

[ProudSuggestion3528]

NamUs was recently updated but I cannot seem to find any new information.

 

[Essbee]

Sites-alt-us-Site

www.altrarunning.com

I believe these are the the socks that this uid wore.

I interpreted the list as meaning Altra shoes red/black size 11, and 4 socks (not described). Hard to know.

 

[biochemguy]

I hiked the PCT northbound this year and walked by this spot, PCT mile 38.5, on April 16. We knew that less than two weeks before a snowstorm had come through and was miserable enough that even experienced hikers were doing their best to get off trail.

We also heard that Pine House Cafe in Mount Laguna, approx. PCT mile 41.5, moved tables aside and let hikers sleep on th restaurant floor because all accomodation in town were full. The app we use, FarOut, has a hiker comment from April 5, 2024 "Slept on the floor here during the snow storm because everything was booked ... 11/10 would have froze if not for this place." Another comment on April 5 includes "Snowstorm on April 4 and 5, everything was fully booked and they did their best not to leave anyone outside."

I am thinking it is possibly a weather-related death since the NamUs clothing description says a shirt and 3 jackets "On The Body". It is common for PCT hikers to bring a fleece mid-layer jacket, a down or synthetic puffy insulated jacket, and a rain/wind shell jacket (and to wear all 3 when when it is cold and wet).

Typically the gun presence would lead me to think suicide, but it is not unusual for hikers to bring guns. Even with two months decomposition, I would think a medical examiner could still tell if the cause of death was gunshot. If it's death by gunshot then all this weather info is unrelated, but I thought I'd still comment just in case NamUs mentioned the revolver for the sake of helping people ID this person.