Law Enforcement Seeks Suspect in Suspicious Death
Officer with a rifle running into the Arcata Community Forest after yesterday’s homicide and during the search for the suspect. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]
This is a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
On April 3, 2022, at about 10:59 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 4700 block of Greenwood Heights Drive in Kneeland for a suspicious death investigation.
The reporting party told deputies that they had arrived at the residence to provide regularly scheduled caregiving assistance to the 28-year-old female resident of the home and was reportedly denied entry to the residence by a male subject. Following an argument between the two, the man reportedly assaulted the caregiver and fled in the female resident’s vehicle. The caregiver then located the female resident deceased inside the home. According to the caregiver, the man and decedent knew each other and had been spending time together in the days prior to this incident.
While responding to the residence, deputies observed the man driving the decedent’s vehicle in the Freshwater area. When deputies attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, the man failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued.
Deputies pursued the vehicle to the area of Fickle Hill Road, where the vehicle yielded, and the man fled on foot into the Arcata Community Forest.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to assist with the search for the man, utilizing multiple K9s and ATVs. Law enforcement personnel searched for several hours, however, did not locate the man.
The male subject remains outstanding at this time. He is only described as a white male adult, possibly known by the name “Austin.” He is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, 130 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
There is no perceived threat to the community at this time, however, community members in the Fickle Hill area are encouraged to use caution if approached by any unknown individuals and report suspicious circumstances to your local law enforcement immediately.
The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending next of kin notification. A forensic autopsy is in the process of being scheduled.
This is an active investigation and more information will be released when available and appropriate. Anyone with information about the male subject or his whereabouts is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance in this investigation: Arcata Police Department, Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department, Fortuna Police Department, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and CAL FIRE.
Photos from yesterday:
Law enforcement put crime scene tape up to keep onlookers from approaching the van abandoned by the suspect.[Photo by Ryan Hutson]
![Officer with a rifle running into the Arcata Community Forest after yesterday's homicide and during the search for the suspect. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]](https://kymkemp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_6529-noresize.jpg)
Officer with a rifle hurrying into the Arcata Community Forest after yesterday’s homicide and during the search for the suspect. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]
Officers searching for the suspect yesterday afternoon. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]
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now is the forest still closed to the public? my son has special needs and it is illegal to shut down this public area to those who are differently abled.
Kym and associates, please address this commenter. Clearly they have a major problem.
Ms Kemp knows of this person already. Seems to like to troll.
No, it isn’t since this is a public emergency.
It is not illegal to deny access to the public when there is an emergency or an active ongoing risk. This was clearly the case. Law enforcement was searching for a murder suspect. Maybe you should call law enforcement to find out whether the public is allowed to enter the area now.
Wile you are on the phone/TEXT/email to whoever you might ask where your $400 gasoline stimulus check is?
I’m interested in both. Please post your contact info
how about you use your real name and then we can talk about you helping my son through our church. Thank you, in case you did not know I am serious. I am very sick of Kym’s games and her meth selling brother. IF Kim wanted to help this community she would get Eugene off drugs. Instead, she is growing marijuana illegally and selling it with fake permits through HPRC. Its all BS
K
Apples dont fall far from the tree buddy 😂
At your own risk
5’11”. 130 lbs. Hmmmm.
Methink.
It says 5 feet 8 inches tall
Oops thanks.
Why is that “hmmm”? I’m 5’11 and 130 lbs lol. Swear I’m not the suspect
The report said 5-8, 130…..still tweaked stats
Another killer on the loose, on the North Coast.
Targeting the handicapped?
Was this his first rodeo?
Or could he be another Serial Killer?
We have gone over thus numerous times, serial refers to more then one. Obviously you are not aware that when one kills once, their guilt knowing if they kill again they would be considered a serial, and that would make them have to immediately leave Humbodlt because every knows, and enforcement confirms serials are just make believe like fairy dust and unicorns and not allowed in woke and paid Humbodlt.
No evidence has been presented to suggest that this person is a killer, much less a serial killer targeting the handicapped. All that has been confirmed at this point is that a female was found deceased and this suspect reportedly assaulted the female’s caregiver and took the female’s car. You also say “another serial killer”. I’d be curious to know who you believe to be the previous serial killers. Take care not to let your mind run away with fantasy.
The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
The suspect would not allow the caregiver to enter when she arrived, the caregiver heard an argument inside. The suspect then reportedly assaulted the female, and then fled. The 28 yr old female was found deceased.
Killer, serial killer, tomayto, tomahto.
Which person are you talking about?
There had been no mention of any particular person when I made my comment.
Did I use a period in the first sentence, instead of a question mark?
I had considered both.
Someone is dead, someone didn’t report it that was present, that subsequently stole the decedent’s vehicle and fled.
Best to err on the side of caution.
How do you know he didn’t report it? For all you know, he could be the one that called 911. Also, according to the article, the argument that you refer to was between the suspect and the caregiver, not the decedent. The sheriff hasn’t even called this a homicide. You are filling in details with your own fantasy.
As far as erring on the side of caution, the sheriff’s office, who clearly has far more information than we do, is not currently suggesting that this person is a killer. Why are you? We will just have to wait for more information. Your suggestion that a serial killer is on the loose and targeting handicapped people is not serving anyone.
Well said.
Yes, I did misread the report to mean that the argument (and assault) was on the inside of the home,between the “two” that were on the “inside”,(the 28 yr old, and the male subject), due to me picturing the male subject “denied entry to the caregiver”, so any argument, (and or assault), between the caregiver and the male subject, would have had to have been on the outside, and not the inside.
Did the male subject, “deny entry to the caregiver” from the outside?
That doesn’t make as much sense.
And she would have gotten a real good look at him that way, especially if he assaulted her.
I also misread, apparently, that “the assault between the two”, is what led to the 28 yr old woman’s death, after the male subject had left, but before law enforcement arrived.
Yesterday, the story was just that there was one deceased, and one suspect that had assaulted one or the other of the females, and not that the death was only “suspicious”.
They sure were chasing him like he was a murderer.
And, no, I don’t think if he was the one that called 911, that he would have split in her van.
He would have stuck around, and waited for LE and EMS to arrive, unless he had something to hide.
Sounds super shady to me, joeh.
I agree that it is shady, or “a suspicious death” as the sheriff’s office called it. It seems that these incidents are often more complicated than they first appear.
This could be a cold blooded murder or it could be as simple as a guy showing up to visit a sick friend, finding her dead of some natural cause and blaming her caregiver for the death before going crazy. There are a million possibilities and we will need to wait for more information to know what actually happened.
Yes, I did misread the report to mean that the argument (and assault) was on the inside of the home,between the “two” that were on the “inside”,(the 28 yr old, and the male subject), due to me picturing the male subject “denied entry to the caregiver”, and any argument, (and or assault), “between the caregiver and the male subject, would have had to have been on the outside, and not the inside”.
So that didn’t add up to me, I guess. It still doesn’t add up, to me.
Did the male subject, “deny entry to the caregiver” from the “outside”?
That didn’t make as much sense.
And she would have gotten a real good look at him that way, especially if he assaulted her.
I also misread, apparently, that “the assault between the two”, is what led to the 28 yr old woman’s death, after the male subject had left, but before law enforcement arrived.
Yesterday, the story was just that there was one deceased, and one suspect that had assaulted one or the other of the females, and not that the death was only “suspicious”.
They sure were chasing him like he was a murderer.
And, no, I don’t think if he was the one that called 911, that he would have split in her van.
He would have stuck around, and waited for LE and EMS to arrive, unless he had something to hide.
Sounds super shady to me, joeh.
There were at least 20 police cars from 5 different agencies involved in the initial search. So I would guess the fugitive was suspected to be violent and dangerous. They failed at apprehending him and then dialed back the “dangerous” part because…Arcata is a college town. That means they will always dial back the “dangerous” part in their public statements….must have parents believe the place is safe so they will send their kids here. Yes. That happens.
We have not been told anything. As far as know it could of been a mercy killing. Compassion death is not likely, but until official information is released, we should not be throwing pictures to the wolves. (Wait until details are released, then grab pitchforks!)
Rodeo? Like the Fortuna Rodeo? My father was actually a famous bull rider from Fortuna. He was actually the fist person in Humboldt to make a million dollars in one year. Thanks and God bless
Just keep downvoting me! You all are so scared to come forward.
It’s just intimidating being in the prescence of the daughter of the first bullrider to make a million dollars
y’all be safe in the community forest. anyone living IN the forest, abutting the forest, etc. Cops with rifles and all that, especially cops who probably aren’t trained or used to hunting people in the forest could be really, really dangerous for bystanders or passersby
It might be a far fetch. There is an Austin [edit] that is a local drug user & thief. He is also suspected to be involved with another young woman’s death & has never been held accountable. He has red hair & blue eyes but it could look brown in the right lighting.
@Cindy you should contact the Sheriff’s office with this info.
while your at it turn in Eugene Kemp for meth sales in Redway
Meth is known to be a medicine like ridalin
Holy beep, no comment, but uck creepers, change your evil ways. I’ve been working with shit bags all my life. They actually hate everything and their life’s suck because of their decisions and desires. Refrain, rejoice and praise, while begging to have peace, joy, hope and faith if you too, suck and hate life and others and want to do harm.
I am surprised accusing someone of murder, drug use and theft by name with picture is not considered “against the rules” definitely would be grounds for a libel lawsuit.
Yes let’s post pictures of all the Austin’s we have ever heard of. And hope the wrong Austin doesn’t come to harm because of it. What if the real Austin looks nothing like this?
They also state “possibly named Austin.”What if that isn’t even his name? Jump to conclusions much folks?
Unless it’s true.
Is that the shithead from the Murder Mountain show?
Not the face of 130 lb man
6 months of bad habits can do that to ya.
Might be an old picture.
Ding Ding Ding we have a winner that would be the one ..and the property that he was squatting on in that show would be where they want to look for chealse cause she’s there somewhere
You are so racist. He looks “brown?” What is wrong with you!
Good tip for the sheriff.
Can we please get a photo of this man? I am a female in the community and feel it’s our right to get a better idea of what this man looks like. I feel uneasy about even walking my dog alone right now. If they know who it is why do we not have photos of him everywhere. 75% of all men in Humboldt could fit those descriptions.
Feel like the chances of him getting caught are much greater if we actually know what the hell he looks like beyond every vague descriptions.
Everyone would like a photo of him. However, no one knows his name other than it might be Austin so there is no drivers license or mugshot image and no one has stepped forward to say they have a photo of him.
@Kym please see Cindy’s post above with a screen shot of a FB page
If someone thinks he is a possible suspect, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department would be the place to call. But I think it is unlikely that this man weighs 130. Or anything likely to be mistaken for 130 pounds.
It’s been 51/2 months since this photo was taken. A guy could lose allot of weight in 5 months, especially if a guy wasn’t taking proper care of himself.
I’m not the one that thought he might be a possible suspect, “Cindy” mentioned it.
I just followed up and found his picture, associated with his arrest on October 21,2021, after determining his middle name on the internet.
The hit on his arrest, reported on RHBB, was just a coincidence, after I entered his full name.
It’s just an FYI, I’m not trying to suggest he is guilty of anything, or that he is a suspect in the murder on Greenwood Heights.
His name is Austin, though.
Maybe someone up Greenwood Heights saw him, who knows.
Maybe the guy has an alibi, if he got put in jail from his last mischief.
And, he mentions on his Facebook page, in reference to himself…,
“I kick ass”.
But if it’s a worthy “tip”, someone else is going to have to call it in, because it ain’t gonna be me.
I’m just the messenger.
Maybe someone can show the caregiver, or whoever it was that gave his description, this photo, to see if he or she can ID him from it.
Cindy, how about you?
Anybody?
I didn’t mean any harm, Kym.
“Austin”, with “blue eyes”, and “brown hair”, and “130lbs”, isn’t much to work with.
Auburn, would you believe?
Weight fluctuates.
You should ban the trolls ip address otherwise it’s never gonna stop and you’ll likely end up having to turn off the comment section (not the worst thing in the world). I’ve been trolled before, they are sick, troubled people, usually under the influence of alcohol ime.
Hopefully they catch this scumbag killer. We have good law enforcement up here, thankful for that.
“We have good law enforcement up here…”
Is that so?
Compared to?
There’s a killer on the road
His brain is squirming like a toad…
“There is no perceived threat to the community at this time?” I would be very concerned if I lived in the area, with a killer on the run from the police.
Even with a car and thief, I would be concerned.
Yes. Any desperate criminal on the run is a danger to a community…
Kym will you please address the shooting in Sacramento? It is a big news story. Do you not watch the national news mam?
I’ve been reading your stupid comments. Maybe you ought to read another blog that doesn’t annoy you and with whom you do not have a vendetta. This might help your mental health.
Yes, they have been very stupid comments.
Kim Boutell – you seem to have so much to say. I’ve read many of your suggestions for headlines here.
Just a friendly suggestion: start your one news blog.
Holy Moses Kim, we are struggling for someone to provide local reporting why would you not seek national news through national news networks? Lucky we have RHB doing better than most.
Oh on, I recognize that van…. Sad.
Lil Big Foot is on the loose
As long as that ar 15 has a fin on the grip California is safe.
Why are the police there with guns? Shouldn’t they send a crisis counsellor?
For what a peace treaty for the mountain lions
He headbutted & killed a disabled lady. Crisis is over. Now we got to wait for the outcome. To bad Caregiver didn’t get a picture of the man while they were hanging out. Hopefully she gets a good sketch artist & is good at description. Not sure how 5’8″ 130 stands up to mountain lion but maybe guy made it home by now. Another Lawson murder mystery. Wish we could get some info on the disabled lady that passed away etc. What she suffered from etc. Sad story.
Lawson murder mystery?
No mystery there. Seems most likely that his buddy tried to stab the skinny white guy and hit the wrong target.
Great place to find a mountain lion
Man! This is like CNN. Throw out a bunch of crap and call it a story. Eventually you might get something right, chances are you won’t, but remember, never rescind what you say no matter how wrong. Unless you were there, you are just guessing!!
This is a press release from law enforcement not an article.