Body Found Near Ukiah Park Identified as Man Missing Since April
Press release from Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
Retallick has been missing since April 16. His body was found near Low Gap Park on May 4.
On 04/17/2026, the Ukiah Police Department was dispatched to investigate an at-risk missing person identified as Joshua W. Retallick, a 51-year-old male from Ukiah, CA. Retallick was known to frequent the western Ukiah area to include the Ukiah Valley Golf Course and was last seen in the area of Maple Avenue on 04/16/2026.
During their investigation, the Ukiah Police Department contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office on 04/27/2026 to request Search and Rescue (SAR) assistance in conducting a search.
A SAR deployment was organized and scheduled for Thursday 04/30/2026 with the assistance of Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office SAR and Marin County Sheriff’s Office SAR volunteers. Approximately 60 SAR volunteers and law enforcement personnel from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and Ukiah Police Department searched the western Ukiah area for Retallick on 04/30/2026. During the SAR deployment, volunteers did not locate any investigative leads or evidence related to Retallick’s possible whereabouts.
On Monday 05/04/2026 at approximately 11:10 A.M., a citizen reported finding possible human remains near the western border of Low Gap Park near the archery range. Ukiah Police Department personnel responded to Low Gap Park and were led to the area by the citizen witness. Ukiah Police Department confirmed that human remains were found in the area and contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a coroner’s investigation.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Investigators from the Detective Unit to assist with the coroner’s investigation and recovery of the human remains. The decedent was identified as missing person Joshua Retallick and his legal next of kin was notified of this investigation on 05/04/2026.
Criminal conduct is not suspected at this stage of the coroner’s investigation. An autopsy was performed on 05/06/2026, but the preliminary cause and manner of death will not be released at this time. The coroner’s investigation will not be finalized until all autopsy reports have been completed to include toxicology analysis.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the SAR volunteers and Ukiah Police Department for their assistance with the SAR deployment and coroner’s investigation.
This coroner’s case is still being actively investigated. Anyone with information related to this investigation is requested to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information can also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.
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I was very sad to read that Josh has been found deceased. I was truly hoping that someone would see him alive and call the Ukiah Police Department. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. May Josh RIP. Thank you to the SAR Teams for looking so hard for Josh and finally locating his remains.
It seems like the people disappearing has finally slowed down. Let’s hope it stays that way. Because every other month for three and a half years was ridiculous.
I sure hope it has slowed down also.
Very difficult time for the family. My thoughts and prayers.
Agreed friend.
The coroner & forensic pathologist must have very strong stomachs or some sort of special powers to be able to cut up a 3 week old dead body. Stinko, big time!! I couldnt get close to this sort of thing!.
Smh…..seriously?