Group of Hikers Stumbled Upon Human Skull in ‘Rugged Terrain.’ 9 Months Later, the Victim Is Identified

Human remains discovered by three hikers in California in March have now been identified as a 55-year-old, authorities said.

The hikers found the remains on March 25 near the South Yuba Fork Bridge in Nevada City, Calif., the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office previously reported.

“The hikers had cut their own trail in the brush and traveled through rugged terrain when they came across a suspected human skull and immediately hiked to the South Yuba Fork Bridge to call 911 where an emergency phone is installed (there is little to no cell phone reception in the area),” the sheriff’s office said in a March 26 statement.

Deputies later arrived at the scene, and one of the hikers guided them to the trail where the skull was found.

Authorities confirmed the skull was human and located additional remains, the sheriff’s office said. The remains were recovered the next day, March 26, and officials noted that the Chico State Anthropology Department helped determine the individual’s gender, race and age.

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the sheriff’s office announced that the remains had been identified, according to the California Department of Justice, as Aaran Sloan Taylor.

Investigators said Taylor was known to visit the Miner’s Trail area of Nevada City.

“The official cause of death remains pending the final autopsy report but is not believed to be a suspicious death,” the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities added that the coroner has not been able to locate Taylor’s next of kin. Anyone with information that could help identify or reach Taylor’s relatives is asked to contact Nevada City law enforcement at coroner@nevadacountyca.gov or 530-265-1321.