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Partial Skull Found Near Sacramento River Across From Scotty's Landing

Authorities are trying to identify skeletal human remains found near the Sacramento River south of Hamilton City.   

The macabre discovery was made by a California Fish and Wildlife officer at about mid-day Sunday March 8. The officer, patrolling the west bank of the river across from Scotty’s Landing with a dog, spotted part of a human skull protruding from the earth. The spot is within 100 yards of the river, a location subject to occasional flooding.

State forensic anthropologists, working with Butte County sheriff’s detectives, unearthed a human skeleton at the site. Officials determined that the body had been there for at least a year. Sheriff’s Department Spokeswoman Miranda Bowersox said the bones belonged to an older male. Bowersox said that so far, no signs of foul play have been found.