Skeletal Remains Found By Hiker Belong To Man Who Went Missing In 1998
MORAGA (CBS SF) -- Skeletal remains found by a hiker in Moraga earlier this year have been confirmed as belonging to a man who was reported missing nearly 20 years ago, police said Tuesday.
The remains were identified as Richard Allen Saimons, after a DNA sample from the remains was analyzed by the California Department of Justice DNA Laboratory in Richmond.
Saimons, a Lafayette resident, was reported missing on August 2, 1998, after he left his home and never returned. He was 37 years old at the time.
Related: Skeletal Human Remains Discovered In Moraga By Hiker
An autopsy conducted on Saimons' remains was unable to determine a cause of death, however, a forensic pathologist did not find any signs of foul play, according to police.
The skeletal human remains were found on March 16 in a secluded area between Rheem Boulevard and South Lucille Lane. Police said at the time that the remains appeared to have been in the area for some time.
The hiker said he had been in the area, which is only accessible on foot or by a 4-wheel drive vehicle, when he found the bones near a creek.
After officers accompanied the hiker to the location, crime scene technicians, along with search and rescue personnel equipped with dogs and metal detectors, recovered the bones and also searched the area, police said.
The remains were then taken to the Contra Costa County coroner's bureau, according to police.
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