The location of the body, off Trail 2. KLH | Union
Kevin L. Hoover
Mad River Union
ARCATA COMMUNITY FOREST – A woman’s body was found Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10 in the lower Arcata Community Forest.
The body was located approximately at the center of this excerpt from an Arcata Community Forest map. City of Arcata graphic
The body was discovered by a hiker in a ravine carved by Campbell Creek, about 500 feet northwest of the intersections of Trails 1 and 2. The area is heavily used by forest walkers, but the body was down an extremely steep slope in a densely wooded area, and not readily apparent from the trail.
Arcata Police Lt. Ryan Peterson said the location was not considered a crime scene. “We determined that there was no foul play,” Peterson said.
The identity of the victim is not known. APD is looking at missing persons reports from Arcata and surrounding areas to see if there’s a match. Peterson said. the condition of the body was such that it wasn’t possible to go through pockets for evidence at the scene.
The Humboldt County Coroner’s office is conducting an autopsy, and will attempt ascertain the cause of death and identify the person.
“We’re looking at several possibilities, perhaps suicide, drug overdose or something like that,” Peterson said. Initial autopsy results could be available as early as today or Monday.