Partial Human Skull Found in Alameda Creek

Human remains have been found in two counties; a partial human skull near Union City and the skull and bones of a heavy, middle-aged white man in San Mateo County.

In both cases, investigators have not determined to whom they belonged. Though in the Peninsula case, a forensic anthropologist figured out the rough age and weight of the man.

On Wednesday, a young hiker discovered a partial human skull about 4 p.m. in Alameda Creek near Union City, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Department.

Sgt. J.D. Nelson said that according to the Alameda County coroner, it appears as though the skull had been there for "at least a year" and could be as many as 20 years.  The coroner also determined the skull to be that of an adult.

The coroner also said the teeth in the skull had fillings, which ruled out the fact that it could have belonged to a Native American who died long ago.

Nelson said sheriff's deputies, cadaver dogs and additional search and rescue personnel were in the area Thursday afternoon searching for more bones.

In San Mateo County, a hiker discovered a human skull and other skeletal remains on Feb. 18 at the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The hiker also found clothing and shoes near the bones, authorities said. San Mateo County sheriff's deputies said that a forensic anthropologist has determined the person had been dead for about three years and belonged to a white man between the ages of 54 and 64 years old. He appears to have been a large man, authorities said, because his waist size was 54 inches around with a 30-inch inseam. The shoes found nearby were blue, white and silver Nike Air Max Moto, size 12.

Authorities are still searching outstanding missing persons reports filed about 2009 to help identify the man. If anyone knows who he was, please call Detective Matthew Broad at 650-363-4363

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