The decedent remains unidentified at this time.
On Thursday August 21, 2025, at approximately 5:36 a.m., the San Rafael Fire Department responded to a major structure fire at 516 Canal Street, San Rafael. The origin of the fire remains under active investigation by many agencies with the cause of the fire undetermined at this time. It was reported two persons remain unaccounted for since this incident began and unable to be located or contacted since. On Friday, August 22, 2025, investigators at the scene located a deceased victim on the back side of the apartment complex. Coroner Investigators from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division responded to the scene and with assistance of our partnering agencies, took possession of the deceased remains and assumed death investigation jurisdiction accordingly. Due the extensive physiologic injuries noted upon the victims remains, identification of the deceased is unknown at this time, albeit efforts to complete positive scientific based identification are ongoing and will require the assistance of many subject matter specialists.
Once this process has been completed, and the next of kin have been contacted, the name of the decedent will be released. This will be an extensive process and we do not have a timeline for completion due the complexities of this sensitive case. The Coroner Division has no additional information regarding any other remaining outstanding victims at the time of this writing.
A forensic post-mortem examination has been scheduled to be conducted in the coming days. The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigation being completed by the San Rafael Police and San Rafael Fire Departments and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division. No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation. Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the San Rafael Police and San Rafael Fire Departments.
We remain appreciative of everyones understanding and patience as we work most efficiently and diligently to aid this victim and their family.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this victim.
CONTACT
Roger G. Fielding
Chief Deputy Coroner