CA CA - Mendocino Co., Male, 25-45, in shallow grave by Eel River, Oct'12

[katydid23]

I lived on the coast of Mendocino in the mid-80's. I lived in Ft Bragg for a year and then in Caspar for 2 yrs. Worked in the Mendocino market and knew a lot of locals who came for supplies. I was invited to a 'secret' community for a wedding. It was near Garberville ---in a remote area---and we needed 'escorts' to meet us at the barbed wire fence.

The couple who were getting married seemed like free spirited, home grown hippies. But when I went to their community, I saw a whole different life style. The 'hippie' commune was a large grow operation. EVERYONE carried weapons and they communicated by transistor walkie talkies and kept a close track of everyone coming up the long twisting dirt mountain road. You would never be able to sneak up on them because the gravel road was very loud and dusty. And it wound around the steep mountainside and did switchbacks, so everyone would see you coming for quite awhile.

Once we finally reached the midway, flat campsite compound, we smelled the thick, sweet smell of the harvest. All around us we saw huge stacks of buds and flowers and people packaging them in freeze dried baggies. It was rather lovely.

But the next two days of the wedding party was pretty nuts. :nuts: People got way too high and drunk and there were skirmishes and some chaos and drama. And I also heard a story about two missing 'workers' who were suspected of stealing some bags of weed. Some people were genuinely wondering where they disappeared to. They left their truck behind and all of their meager belongings. But my friend told me that they were 'disposed of' on the mountain. And since they were transients, I doubt anyone would be looking any time soon.

 

[WyomingSkyAngel]

I wouldn't paint the mom & pop growers as deserving of any sympathy. They trash the environment & have the natural arrogance of "here first"ers.

Comically the Asian mafia/gangs in CA have avoided most of the mess in the Triangle by doing hydroponic grows inside houses. lol Always a better way.

 

[WyomingSkyAngel]

I lived on the coast of Mendocino in the mid-80's. I lived in Ft Bragg for a year and then in Caspar for 2 yrs. Worked in the Mendocino market and knew a lot of locals who came for supplies. I was invited to a 'secret' community for a wedding. It was near Garberville ---in a remote area---and we needed 'escorts' to meet us at the barbed wire fence.

The couple who were getting married seemed like free spirited, home grown hippies. But when I went to their community, I saw a whole different life style. The 'hippie' commune was a large grow operation. EVERYONE carried weapons and they communicated by transistor walkie talkies and kept a close track of everyone coming up the long twisting dirt mountain road. You would never be able to sneak up on them because the gravel road was very loud and dusty. And it wound around the steep mountainside and did switchbacks, so everyone would see you coming for quite awhile.

Once we finally reached the midway, flat campsite compound, we smelled the thick, sweet smell of the harvest. All around us we saw huge stacks of buds and flowers and people packaging them in freeze dried baggies. It was rather lovely.

But the next two days of the wedding party was pretty nuts. :nuts: People got way too high and drunk and there were skirmishes and some chaos and drama. And I also heard a story about two missing 'workers' who were suspected of stealing some bags of weed. Some people were genuinely wondering where they disappeared to. They left their truck behind and all of their meager belongings. But my friend told me that they were 'disposed of' on the mountain. And since they were transients, I doubt anyone would be looking any time soon.

Yup sounds about right.

 

[burblestein]

The comparison with the old timey mom and pop growers was strictly a comparison of scale. Mom and Pop (at least in the old days) didn't bring in bulldozers and reroute streams that I know of, nor did they suck streams dry and blithely broadcast hazardous waste throughout the woods. Today's "industrial" plantations have gotten to the stage of HUGE ongoing environmental disasters.

Have I mentioned that home invasion robberies have become terribly routine around here? Like Les Crane, http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...Mendocino-Cty-18-Nov-2005&highlight=Mendocino, or Jurgen Knemeyer, http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...cino-County-8-August-1999&highlight=Mendocino.

Nor are transients the only ones to disappear...consider local lad Dan Southers. http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...ragg-CA-17-September-1987&highlight=Mendocino

Black markets = increased crime, period.

 

[Roselvr]

Wonder why he's not in NamUs.

 

[burblestein]

Another thought about apparel. The T-shirt with its catchy saying may not be chain store product after all. There are quite a few silk screen studios here locally (Mendo County) serving the tourist trade. They are often run by some creative hippy or neo-hippy. I know of at least one who prides himself on never repeating a run of shirts. Obviously, a shirt out of that batch would one of dozens rather than one of a million or so. Thus more easily traceable.

 

[Melt71]

Case of this headless UID is now in Namus with a PMI of 2008 - 2012
www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/59510/details?nav
Sex Male
Race / Ethnicity White / Caucasian
Estimated Age Group Adult
Estimated Age Range (Years) 25-45
Estimated Year of Death 2008-2012
Height 5' 11"-6' 4"(71-76 inches) , Estimated
Weight Cannot Estimate
Circumstances
Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found October 30, 2012
NamUs Case Created August 19, 2019
ME/C QA Reviewed--
Location Found Map
Location PIERCY, California 95587
County Mendocino County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped)N 39 59.642 BY W123 47.782
Circumstances of Recovery Local resident found 2 shoes sticking up out of the sand along the Eel River. When he pulled on the shoe he located bones. Upon excavation remains were located.
Details of Recovery
Inventory of Remains Head not recovered. Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton
Clothing and Accessories
Accessories - pocket knife - On the Body
Clothing - White thermal "long John" bottoms, blue jeans not sure if pants or shorts, leather belt with a metal buckle, white shirt possibly a "half shirt" with the following written on it, "Before I started working here I drank, smoked and used foul language for no reason at all but now thanks to this job I have a reason." Tag on shirt listed "Screen Stars" as the maker. - On the Body
Footwear - Pair of Hi-Top "Pro Wing" shoes size 12-13. White tube socks with red around the top of the sock - On the Body

 

[victoriarobinson642]

If nothing else, I found a picture of what the shirt looks like on an Instagram influencer's page.
(Instagram Analytics (com imagens))

 

[Lwieckowicz]

“I’m 99.9% sure this is the body of my former boyfriend Michael (Slim) DeSmet who disappeared when this murder took place and whose body has never been found. I talked to the Humboldt Sheriff’s Office a couple months ago and they thought it was a possibility but again are not getting back to me about it. I’d really like some help on this. I know it’s him as do band members for the Bay Area band he roadied for and lived with in the 1990s. He had moved back to the Humboldt area and was growing with a rumored loan from the Aryan Brotherhood. He was last seen with another murdered individual whose femur bone identified a different John Doe skeleton“.

Skeleton in Sneakers Belonged to Tall, White Man – Redheaded Blackbelt

I wonder if they ever followed up with this woman’s claim as the area, height, and general description sounds promising.

 

[Melt71]

@Lwieckowicz? Intriguing. Is he on the Namus ruleout list?

 

[Bit of hope]

“I’m 99.9% sure this is the body of my former boyfriend Michael (Slim) DeSmet who disappeared when this murder took place and whose body has never been found. I talked to the Humboldt Sheriff’s Office a couple months ago and they thought it was a possibility but again are not getting back to me about it. I’d really like some help on this. I know it’s him as do band members for the Bay Area band he roadied for and lived with in the 1990s. He had moved back to the Humboldt area and was growing with a rumored loan from the Aryan Brotherhood. He was last seen with another murdered individual whose femur bone identified a different John Doe skeleton“.

Skeleton in Sneakers Belonged to Tall, White Man – Redheaded Blackbelt

I wonder if they ever followed up with this woman’s claim as the area, height, and general description sounds promising.

Djee. So sorry....Anybody knows who this posting woman might be.........just when I wanted to post something about long lost Frederique Donald Leach, also known as William Donald Leach – The Charley Project who could never fit into the PMI...but I believe he ended up there too, I saw your post.....D**n!

Michael William Desmet - Mendocino County Sheriff's Office

 

[Lwieckowicz]

@Lwieckowicz? Intriguing. Is he on the Namus ruleout list?

I actually only saw one rule out I believe and he wasn’t it.

 

[Taavi]

https://www.doenetwork.org/cases/software/main.html?id=4029umca

Where have all the missing persons gone?

Where have all the missing persons gone? A look at missing persons in Humboldt and Mendocino counties The Willits News The discovery of a human skeleton in a creek bed in Standish-Hickey State Park…

www.ukiahdailyjournal.com

Ukiah Daily Journal: In September 2005, Michael William Desmet and Joseph Clarence Wilma Jr. were reported missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff”s Office. The duo was thought to have disappeared in the Covelo area. In April 2007, a hiker found a human jaw northwest of Covelo. The hiker picked up the bone and left the area, which was in the midst of a large marijuana garden. Officers returned to the area and found a human leg bone and eventually Wilma”s vehicle. The two bones were subsequently confirmed as Wilma”s. Desmet is still missing. Authorities have classified Wilma”s death as a homicide and they believe Desmet is also a homicide victim. Despite an extensive search of the area, Desmet”s remains have never been found.

In October 2012, human remains were found buried in a shallow grave along the Eel River near Piercy. Detectives have not been able to identify the victim. The victim, dubbed John Doe, is between 25 and 45 years old and between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet 5 inches tall. He is believed to be a victim of a homicide. The remains are believed to be several years old.

From Willits News:
“September 2005: Joseph Clarence Wilma Jr. 52, of Redway; Michael William Desmet, 33, of Shelter Cove reported missing in Humboldt County . Wilma”s leg and jawbone were located in Covelo April 2007 in a 4,500 plant marijuana grow. Homicide suspected, Desmet”s remains have not been found. The possible homicides are considered marijuana related.”
October 2012: The skeletal remains of an unidentified man, 25 to 45 years old, and between 5 ft. 11 and 6 ft. 5 inches tall was located on the shore of the Eel River north of Leggett.

 

[SluethinAway]

https://kymkemp.com/2024/11/25/skeleton-in-sneakers-identified-after-12-years-dna-unveils-piercy-homicide-victim/

In Spring 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office sent forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas. At Othram’s laboratory, scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement. The investigative leads presented genealogical findings for a Warren David Hawkins.
After receiving this information, Investigators learned that “Warren Hawkins” had been reported missing by his sister (Paula Hawkins) to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington.

 

[Blurgle]

His missing persons thread:

WA Thread 'WA - Warren David Hawkins, 21, Kelso, July 6, 1986'

May 20, 2022

NAMUS:

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

---

Warren David Hawkins
Age - 21 Years
Sex - Male
Height - 6' 2" (74 Inches)
Weight - 200 lbs
Hair Color - Brown
Eye Color - Brown
Race / Ethnicity - White / Caucasian
Date of Last Contact - July 6, 1986
Location - Kelso, Washington 98626
County - Cowlitz County
Circumstances of Disappearance - Hawkins was last [seen] at the Kelso train depot.

---

• victoriarobinson642
• Replies: 12
• Forum: 1980's Missing

• 

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Wow, that’s wild. I can’t believe his clothing survived for so long.

 

[chaddylex]

Identified as Warren Hawkins who was last seen in 1986 in Kelso Washington.

Mendocino County John Doe (2012) has now been Identified

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2012 John Doe

dnasolves.com

Summary​

In October 2012, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by a local resident along the Eel River in Piercy, California, about 170 miles from San Francisco. The resident found a pair of shoes sticking out of the sand on the riverbank and pulled on them, revealing human remains. A team of forensic anthropologists worked to excavate the remains, retrieving the skeleton of a male individual whose skull was not present. It was determined that the man was between the ages of 25 and 45 years old, standing between 5’11” and 6’4”.

It appeared that the remains located within the shallow grave had been there for an extended time, and the partial articles of clothing collected suggested 1980’s styles. John Doe’s death was labeled as a homicide given the circumstances around the discovery of his remains. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP59510 and the man was commonly referred to as “Skeleton in Sneakers."

In 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. A reference DNA sample was collected from the potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man.. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Warren David Hawkins, born in 1965.

Investigators learned that Warren Hawkins had been reported missing by his sister to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington. In July of 1986, when Hawkins was 21-years-old, his now-deceased mother dropped off him and another unknown male at a bus station. Hawkins was never seen or heard from again. Warren David Hawkins' remains will now be returned to his family for his final internment.

Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy completed in this case were funded by NamUs, a national clearinghouse that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

The identification of Warren David Hawkins represents the 51st case in the State of California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to read about other California cases.

 

[summergirl1]

It's certainly interesting his clothing survived for so long. So it's not surprising he was originally estimated to have probably died within a few years of 2012.

Apparently, although reported missing, and even listed online and on Websleuths (a rarity among Does I'd by genetic genealogy), he did not have family DNA on file, and so had to be I'd by genetic genealogy..

 

[Lilibet]

Apparently, although reported missing, and even listed online and on Websleuths (a rarity among Does I'd by genetic genealogy), he did not have family DNA on file, and so had to be I'd by genetic genealogy..

This is why it’s so important for family to submit DNA ASAP.

 

[HmmMysterious]

Identified as Warren Hawkins who was last seen in 1986 in Kelso Washington.

Mendocino County John Doe (2012) has now been Identified

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Teams with Othram to Identify a 2012 John Doe

dnasolves.com

View attachment 547358

Summary​

In October 2012, the skeletal remains of an unidentified individual were discovered by a local resident along the Eel River in Piercy, California, about 170 miles from San Francisco. The resident found a pair of shoes sticking out of the sand on the riverbank and pulled on them, revealing human remains. A team of forensic anthropologists worked to excavate the remains, retrieving the skeleton of a male individual whose skull was not present. It was determined that the man was between the ages of 25 and 45 years old, standing between 5’11” and 6’4”.

It appeared that the remains located within the shallow grave had been there for an extended time, and the partial articles of clothing collected suggested 1980’s styles. John Doe’s death was labeled as a homicide given the circumstances around the discovery of his remains. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP59510 and the man was commonly referred to as “Skeleton in Sneakers."

In 2024, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office submitted forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas to determine if advanced DNA testing could help identify the man. Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence, and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile for the unknown man. Othram’s in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used this profile to conduct genetic genealogy research, ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement.

Using this new information, a follow-up investigation was conducted leading investigators to potential relatives of the man. A reference DNA sample was collected from the potential relatives and compared to the DNA profile of the unknown man.. This investigation led to the positive identification of the man, who is now known to be Warren David Hawkins, born in 1965.

Investigators learned that Warren Hawkins had been reported missing by his sister to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington. In July of 1986, when Hawkins was 21-years-old, his now-deceased mother dropped off him and another unknown male at a bus station. Hawkins was never seen or heard from again. Warren David Hawkins' remains will now be returned to his family for his final internment.

Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy completed in this case were funded by NamUs, a national clearinghouse that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International. We are grateful for the support of RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

The identification of Warren David Hawkins represents the 51st case in the State of California where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. Visit DNASolves to read about other California cases

I hope police look into the "unknown male".