Homicide Ruling: Body Found In Regional Park

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — A man whose body was found Sunday in Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in the Oakland hills was the victim of a homicide, the coroner's bureau has ruled. His was identified as Donald Stanifer, 21, of Alameda.

East Bay Regional Park District police are leading the homicide investigation since his body was found in their jurisdiction. The Alameda Police Department, which had been actively investigating his disappearance, is assisting.

Stanifer was last seen on July 5 near the College of Alameda. He was reported missing two days later.

In a release, Alameda Police said, "On Wednesday, July 8th, at approximately 8:00pm, Mr. Stanifer’s vehicle was located parked and unoccupied by a deputy with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO). The vehicle was in unincorporated San Leandro. The vehicle contained evidence that a violent crime may have occurred, so it was towed to APD for further investigation. At this point in the investigation, it was believed Mr. Stanifer was possibly the victim of a serious crime."

Stanifer's body was found on the side of a trail near the parking lot, according to police and park officials.

Stanifer graduated from Encinal Junior and Senior High School in Alameda, according to GoFundMe page. Proceeds from the fund will go to his mother.

Anyone with information about the killing is urged to call the park district's 24-hour dispatch center at 510-881-1833 or leave a message on the anonymous tip line at 510-690-6521.

Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner

— Patch editor Bea Karnes and Bay City News contributed to this story

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