Bay Point Evidence Search

The following article appeared in the June 2002 Issue of All Points Bulletin, the monthly newsletter of the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

Teamwork and Hard Work Lead to Closure for Family

The case began as a suspicious circumstance call for Muir Station deputies. Through the hard work and dedication of many, it ended with the identification of a person who had been missing for over two years.

In April this year, deputies found several human bones at the McAvoy Point Yacht Harbor in Bay Point. An examination of the skeletal remains revealed some information such as gender, height, and ancestry, but did not lead to the identity of the person.

In late May, a Homicide detective led a Sheriff's Office team to the site where the bones were found. The team included three criminalists, seven search and rescue volunteers and three search dogs. The dogs found several areas where human remains were likely to be located. A wide area containing debris and tules was then cleared. Then the digging began under the sweltering sun. "Barely half an hour after we started digging, we found more human bones", said the detective. "We also located the all important jaw bone which we knew could help us find the identity of the person". The team spent the entire day at the site finding evidence.

The jawbone was given to a local forensic dentist who worked with the state Department of Justice to positively identify the person. The victim was a woman who was reported missing following a boating accident and fire in Suisun Bay in Solano County in March 2000.

Investigators believe the body somehow drifted across the Delta after the accident. After the identification was made, the Solano County Sheriff's Office notified the relatives of the victim. "It's not the result anybody wanted, but it does give closure to the family", said the detective.

The detective had nothing but praise for her colleagues. "I was impressed by the enthusiasm of the Search and Rescue personnel. These volunteers took the initiative, developed a plan to sift through the mud and got the job done. Without them, this operation could not have been completed. The presence of the Crime Lab was critical. Their expertise was instrumental in directing the entire operation."