Update: Clues Revealed about Mystery Bones Found at Purisima Creek

Update Thursday 2:55 p.m.: 

The Coroner’s investigation and examination by a Forensic Anthropologist has determined that the victim had been dead for approximately 3 years.  

The remains are that of a white male adult between 54-64 years old. The physical description of the decedent appears to have been large as the pants located had a 54” waist size with a 30” inseam. The shoes located are described as blue, white and silver Nike Air Max Moto, size 12.   

The Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office are still searching outstanding missing persons reports filed in the circa 2009 area in an effort to make an identification.

Assistance from the public is requested to identify the decedent. If anyone has information about a missing person fitting the above description, please contact Detective Matthew Broad at 650-363-4363.

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Original story: A human skull and scattered pile of bones discovered by a hiker last week at the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve most likely come from a middle-aged man who died three years, according to a new analysis by the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office.

“He was probably 60 years old,” said San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault. “Animal markings appear on the bones but that’s not uncommon in cases like this. He most likely died of natural causes. There is no indication of traumatic injuries.”

The skeletal remains were first discovered by a hiker, wandering off-trail about two miles west of Skyline Boulevard. The remains did not comprise a full skeleton, and unspecified bones were missing, according to Foucrault.

A forensic study of the bones found they most likely come from a heavyset middled aged male between 5-feet 7-inches and 6-feet 2-inches in height. Investigators are searching through missing-persons databases to see if anyone matches that description.

Cause of death may never be known, said Foucrault. The main focus of the investigation right now is to identify the man by using his teeth and charting the man’s dental work.

The coroner’s office has also submitted a DNA sample from the bones to a California Department of Justice laboratory.

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