Bone Found by Family Searching for Shells Identified as Dad Who Vanished Over 25 Years Ago, Putting an End to ‘Unusual’ Case
By David Chiu
Published on March 30, 2026.
Skeletal remains found at a California beach have been identified as those of Walter Kinney, a 59-year-old former banker who disappeared in 1999. The remains were discovered on June 17, 2022, by a family looking for seashells at Salmon Creek Beach. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the nonprofit DNA Doe Project developed a DNA profile and uploaded it to the GEDmatch database earlier this year. The case was unusual as Kinney's daughter described him as "smart, sensitive, almost to a fault" and said it was not unusual for him to fall out of contact with his family.
Related Articles
New HUD certification brings expanded housing resources to Lorain residents
The City of Lorain has received federal certification to provide expanded housing services, focusing on homeownership, financial stability, and fair housing rights.
Texas hemp industry eyes challenge to ban on smokable THC
Texas now bans smokable THC products, prompting a potential lawsuit from the state's hemp industry, which leaders fear will push consumers to the black market.
Fed’s Powell says no need to hike interest rates now — officials should look past higher energy prices
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell advises policymakers to overlook rising energy prices and focus on stable employment, while interest rate remains uncertain.