Law Enforcement uncovered another mystery from the desert after searchers in Death Valley National Park found the body of a man burned beyond recognition.

Inyo Sheriffs Detective Jeff Hollowell said that on or about May 22, a Death Valley Park Ranger found a rental vehicle off of the Trona Wildrose Highway. The vehicle was not reported stolen and there were no reports of a missing person associated with the vehicle. A week later on Friday the 29th of May, Park Service staff started a search and rescue effort in the area near the vehicle in an attempt to find the driver.

At about 7:45 in the morning on Saturday, Park Service searchers found the badly burned remains of a man in a wash about three miles north of the Wildrose Campground. The body was about a half mile from where the vehicle had been found. Detective Hollowell described the remains as burned beyond recognition.

Whether this is a murder or something else has not been determined for certain. Investigators say that foul play has not been ruled out. The cause and manner of death is expected to be determined by an autopsy scheduled this week.

Hollowell said that the name of the person believed to have died in this incident wont be released until the remains are positively identified and the next of kin notified.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading