Human bones uncovered in Somis

The Medical Examiner Office has issued a preliminary report on human skeletal  remains  found  in the hills southwest of 3402 E. Los Angeles Ave.,  Somis,  in  an  area previously  know  as  the  Queen Ranch.

According to police reports, the remains were found on March 13 as ranch workers were cleaning an illegal dump on the ridge overlooking Camarillo. The dump had been used for many years as evidenced by  the  old  newspapers,  cars and building materials.

As  the  workers  pulled  an  old carpet out of the ravine they found a human arm bone attached to the carpet. They then discovered a human skull  nearby. Work stopped and patrol  deputies  secured  the area.

Several arm bones were recovered  from  a  dumpster containing trash removed from the site. Investigators dug through the debris and dirk wear the skull was found and exposed the rest of the skeleton.

The rest of the human remains were excavated on March 14 with assistance from the FBI Evidence Recovery Unit and transported to the Medical Examiner Office.

According to the Medical Examiner  Office,  the  remains  are probably those of an adult male between 21 and 50 years of age at the time of death. The man was between 5 foot 3 inches and 5 foot 7 inches and of mixed racial ancestry, consistent with being Hispanic. The teeth are in excellent condition and have no evidence of  dental  work  or  cavities.The victim  was  found  wearing  only brown pants labeled with a tag indicating  a  32-inch  waist,  which suggests  the  subject  had  a  slim build.

Several U.S. coins were found in the pockets, the most recent dated 1984. Also found in the pocket was a comb and a house key attached to a “heads or tails” coin.

The  condition  of  the  pocket items,  body  and  scene  suggest that  the  body  could  have  been there  for  many  years,  perhaps since the mid-1980s.

The Medical Examiner has not issued the cause of death at this time. The circumstances of the death are suspicious, however,  and  suggest that this may be a homicide.

Anyone with  information  that may  help  identify  this  person  is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 4777000 or the Medical Examiners Office at (805) 641-4400.