CLEARLAKE >> After a dog allegedly brought a human skull into his owner”s yard on the 2700 block of Oleander Street, a search team of more than 15 combed the surrounding area for just over an hour before finding a body in an advanced state of decomposition on Saturday morning.
Clearlake Police Department (CPD) Officer Mike Ray responded to the resident”s call on Friday and ascertained the skull to be that of a person recently deceased.
Saturday morning, the search began with CPD detectives, Kelseyville Community Organization for Rescue and Public Service (K-Corps) volunteers, Lake County sheriff”s deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers. As the area is wooded with heavy brush, the team also received some help from two canines of the California Rescue Dog Association based in Contra Costa County.
The partial remains were eventually found about 100 yards north of the resident”s property, according to the CPD press release.
CPD Sgt. Nick Bennett did not give estimates on how long the person had been dead, the person”s age or gender. He added that it didn”t appear anybody had attempted to hide the body but refrained from speculating on the cause of death. The death has not been linked to any missing person report, as of press time.
“Hopefully we”ll get some answers when the autopsy is complete,” he said. “It was found in an area that was fairly heavily wooded and brushy, but also in an area where transients go through so we just don”t know.”
The autopsy will be completed by a forensic pathologist at the coroner”s office.
