From Peter Hecht:
Sutter County sheriff's deputies are investigating the grim discovery of severed leg near a popular Feather River destination known as "Beer Can Beach."
The discovery of the left leg from unknown man Sunday set off a homicide investigation and an intensive search of the river area for more clues.
"We're treating this as a homicide until we learn otherwise," said Brenda Baker, sheriff's spokeswoman. "We've had a ground search. We've had a cadaver dog out. We've had a boat patrol out."
Authorities also were checking missing person reports from around the region to see if there is a possible match.
The area search was suspended late Monday afternoon with the mystery still unanswered.
Sacramento police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said a car found about two miles away in Sutter County was registered to an adult male from Sacramento who was reported missing two days ago.
Baker said the leg was believed to have been at the location for less than a week. But she said authorities couldn't confirm if the presence of the vehicle had anything to do with the discovery.
The leg was found by citizens shortly after noon at the base of a levy by the beach off of Garden Highway and Lee Road.
People with information that may help in the investigation are being asked to call Sutter sheriff's detectives at (530) 822-7307. Tips can also be left through the department's Web site at www.suttersheriff.org.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.