Remains found along river in Butte County identified as those of Red Bluff man

Human remains found in March along the bank of the Sacramento River in Butte County have been identified as those of a Red Bluff man.

The remains were found March 8 along the west bank of the river, across from Scotty’s Landing. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that using DNA tests, the remains were identified as those of Eugene Warren Shepherd, 65, who was reported missing to the Red Bluff Police Department on Feb. 3, 2006.

An examination of the remains by forensic anthropologists at California State University, Chico, and sheriff’s officials found no indication of foul play.

Detectives with the Red Bluff Police Department have been investigating the circumstances of Shepherd’s disappearance. Shepherd was listed as a voluntary missing adult, andhe had possibly been seen in Red Bluff at the Sacramento River near Gilmore Lane.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office was notified about noon March 8 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife that part of a human skull had been found on the river bank across from Scotty’s Landing. A Fish and Wildlife officer was working with his dog in the area when he came across the remains. Detectives responded along with Chico State forensic anthropologists to process the scene.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 8:07 PM with the headline "Remains found along river in Butte County identified as those of Red Bluff man."