The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is seeking relatives of human remains discovered in 1998 at Clam Beach, near the mouth of Little River. On January 21, 1998, deputies responded to a report from a horseback rider who found skeletal remains in the area. An anthropologist confirmed the remains were human and identified them as male. A DNA sample was extracted and entered into CODIS but yielded no matches with missing persons. The case was also logged into NAMUS under case number UP55179.
The remains appeared eroded by water or sand, possibly due to heavy rain before their discovery. It is speculated that they might originate from an ancient burial site nearby.
Advancements in technology have allowed HCSO to collaborate with Othram Inc for Forensic Genetic Genealogy analysis. The sample revealed Native American ancestry, tracing back to Catherine Prince, born in 1843. Historical records indicate Catherine survived a massacre along the Van Duzen River and may have been adopted by the Francis family in California. Although the Wiyot Tribe acknowledges the Prince family’s documentation within their records, no living relatives have been located.
The Sheriff’s Office is searching for descendants of Catherine “Kitty” Frances Prince (1843-1940), who was married to James Napoleon Prince (1843-1910). Potential children include Dan Prince, Theodore Prince, and Edith Anderson.
Individuals with information are encouraged to contact Missing Person/Cold Homicide Investigator Mike Fridley at (707) 441-3024.
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