Autopsy of body inconclusive
It was found in Monterey County near van belonging to Hood
The identity of a body found in a ravine in Monterey County near the van of Porterville missing man Harold Hood remains unknown, detectives said.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Department Det. Randal Dyck, who works in the coroner’s office, said results of the initial autopsy were inconclusive.
“No positive ID and no cause of death,” Dyck said.
The body of what is believed to be a man, but even that has not been confirmed, Dyck said, was found Friday, April 27, down a 100 foot ravine at Fort Hunter Liggett, a US Army Combat Support Training Facility in southwest Monterey County. The base is a little more than an hour drive north of Paso Robles.
“The body was badly decomposed,” Dyck said, adding that it had been there for quite a while and that he was not suspicious of “foul play.”
The body was found near the van of Hood, 82, a longtime business owner in Porterville, who was reported missing by family on March 16, a day after he was last seen driving in Porterville to the DMV to renew his license. The van was discovered on a dirt road in a wooded area on Thursday, April 26.
The next steps according to Dyck are to have the body examined by a
forensic anthropologist and to have a DNA test done. The DNA sample was sent out this week and the forensic anthropologist will begin Friday. It could be a month before results of either are available, Dyck said, adding, “It’s not like what you see on TV.”
The anthropologist will be looking at the human remains to determine the identity of the unidentified body and cause and time of death.
Hood at this point is still considered missing. He is described as being 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighing 145 pounds. He was last seen wearing brown slacks and a white and red polo shirt.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488. Anonymous information about this crime can be reported via Tipnow email tcso@tipnow.net, text or voicemail at 7254194, or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.