A Shasta County missing persons case is finally closed after 38 years. James Homer Wright Jr., a Pit River Tribe member, was 19-years-old when he disappeared in 1988. Then, in 1990, Wright’s mother recognized a pair of Nike high-top shoes that were found along with unidentifiable remains on a small island in the Sacramento River south of Bonnyview. Another search of the island was done in 1991 and more remains were found. DNA testing was not sophisticated enough prior to 2004, but in 2006 the remains were sent to the State Department of Justice Lab. They were only able to confirm that the remains were from a male. Last September the Sheriff’s Office reopened the case and Redding Police coordinated familial DNA testing. In March a positive match was made and last month, after additional review, the family was notified. On Thursday, the Coroners Office released the remains of James Wright to the family for proper burial.
-Steve Gibson