“The work that is conducted by California Department of Justice criminalists throughout our state is exceptional and not only assists law enforcement in their investigations, it also helps families to find answers to questions regarding their missing loved ones.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – On August 2, 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced that human remains discovered by off-road motorists in a remote area of the county on November 23, 1987 have now been identified.

Upon discover of the skeletal remains, detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division responded and assumed the investigation. Due to the lack of identity of the decedent, and no other investigative leads, the case went cold, and the decedent remained unidentified.

A bone fragment from the remains was sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Forensic Services, to have DNA extracted for a comparison and analysis.

In June of 2023, the California DOJ positively identified the decedent as Dennis Earl Seger, (date of birth -April 29, 1936) a resident of Washington state, who was reported missing in 1986 to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by family members. During LAPD’s missing person investigation, family members provided their DNA for comparison. Seger’s family was notified of the discovery and identification.

At the conclusion of the investigation, there was no evidence to show Seger died as result of an assault or any other criminal action from another person.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Edward Hernandez, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail – Cold Case Team at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.