Wash. Bear Hunter Finds Human Skull Near National Forest. It's the Second Skull Found There in a Month

Mar. 15, 2025

The skull was recovered from the pictured area near Sawtooth Berry Fields, nestled within Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Skamania County, Wash. on Sept. 4, 2024.Photo:Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Facebook

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Facebook

When a bear hunter came across what appeared to be a human skull near Sawtooth Berry Fields in Washington State on Sept. 4, the hunter reported the coordinates to local law enforcement.

After a detective recovered the skull, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed in apress releasethat “the skull was determined to be of human origin,” although the “identity of the remains is unknown.”

Sawtooth Berry Fields –known for its huckleberriesand historical importance to northwestern tribes – is part of Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the site of two skulls recovered there in the span of a month.

Huckleberry bushes at Sawtooth Berry Fields in Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington.Alamy

Alamy

So, on Aug. 15, the hiker returned to the scene with a Skamania County Sergeant, aiding in the recovery of the skull.

Citing “preliminary” findings, investigators believe the skull belongs to that of a hiker missing since 2013.

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The identity of that hiker – who was last seen in the Big Lava Bed “and, after numerous coordinated search efforts, was never located” per investigators – has not been publicly released.

The skull and additional remains were sent to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office for “definitive identification,” per the sheriff’s office.

The second skull will also “be sent for forensic analysis in an attempt to make positive identification,” according to investigators.

The sheriff’s office said that investigators do not believe there is a public safety risk connected to either case.

source: people.com