Charred Body Found In Peter's Canyon

ANAHEIM, CA — A grim discovery was reported on Friday in the scarred and burned area of Peter's Canyon. Orange Police Department reported finding a body in the burn area, which may be that of a Costa Mesa man who may have taken his own life in late September.

On Sept. 27, a man reported his roommate missing in the city of Costa Mesa, according to OPD Sgt. Phil McMullin.

Two days later, an Orange County ranger assigned to Peter's Canyon found the missing person's vehicle abandoned in a parking lot at the park. Orange police detectives were called to the scene and found a shotgun shell and a suicide note inside the car, McMullin said.

He said officers searched the surrounding area, with assistance from a helicopter crew and park rangers, but were unable to locate the missing man.

About 11:30 Friday morning, firefighters found charred human remains, with a shotgun nearby, inside the burned area of Peter's Canyon and notified the coroner's office.

Investigators suspect it is the missing man, whose name was withheld, but will have to conduct laboratory tests to make a positive identification, McMullin said.
The 9,217-acre Canyon Fire 2 broke out Monday in Anaheim Hills and was 65 percent contained as of Friday afternoon, with full containment expected early next week.