Deputies Investigating Human Bones Found at Sonoma County Park

A Sonoma County regional park remained closed Monday for an ongoing investigation into human bones found by hikers in the area.

Chris Cane and his children were hiking at the Shiloh Ranch Regional Park in Windsor on Sunday afternoon when they discovered a human skull and a tennis shoe in a creek bed off the trail.

"That poor person out there, that's just another Christmas they don't get to celebrate," Cane said, adding the unsettling discovery is something he'll never forget. "You know, it's sad. That was a person."

Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Carlos Basurto said the remains appear to have been there for about a year.

Hiker Allen Haley was stunned on Monday to find the park roped off with crime tape and filled with deputies when he showed up for his weekly lunchtime hike.

"My initial thought was maybe something went on with a mountain lion because we've seen mountain lions up there," he said.

Sonoma County Sheriff's investigators spent Monday retrieving more bones and items of clothing. Officials said there is nothing obvious that indicate what may have happened and do not have enough information to determine a gender.

The remains have been taken to the coroner's office for examination. Investigators are hoping dental records or DNA can help provide further information on identifying the person.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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