On Friday, March 2, 2018, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office-Coroner Division was contacted and notified by the National Park Service (NPS) of possible human remains discovered in an area of the Marin Headlands near the Golden Gate Bridge by persons hiking in the area.  Skeletonized remains, which appear to be of human origin, were discovered in an open space area commonly inhabited by transient individuals.  Preliminary investigation completed by NPS and the Coroner Division personnel did not note any overt evidence of a criminal act or foul play at the site of discovery.  Evidence at the scene was suggestive of this being a previously occupied transient encampment. The bones were collected from the site of discovery and underwent additional examination by the Coroner Division Chief Forensic Pathologist, in addition to evaluation by a forensic Odontologist, forensic anthropologist, and the State of California Bureau of Forensic Services DNA Laboratory in an effort to positively identify the subject. 

On Monday, 08/06/2018, the Coroner Division was contacted by the State of California Bureau of Forensic Services DNA Laboratory and advised a suitable DNA profile was developed from the biological specimen submitted. A positive identification was made through a comparative match to a familial sample submitted.

The decedent has been identified as:

Brian Edwin DEEN, 62-year-old male with no known fixed address, last reported to be residing in the Sausalito, CA area.

This is an open and active investigation being completed concurrently and jointly with the NPS, who has law enforcement jurisdiction as the remains were discovered on federal land.   No further information or details will be released by the Coroner Division pending the conclusion of the investigation.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding, Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043

R_fielding@marinsheriff.org