Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko said Sunday that remains found near Petrolia belong to accused triple-murderer Shane Miller. Authorities have been searching for Miller since May of 2013 after he allegedly killed his wife Sandy and daughters Shelby and Shasta.
Investigators spent a week searching Petrolia last year after Miller’s pickup truck and his dog were found near there after the slayings. It is in a remote, undeveloped area of redwoods and towering mountains referred to as the “Lost Coast.”
Officials suspected Miller, who previously was convicted of being a felon in possession of a gun, was heavily armed and knew the thick forests of the rugged region well since he grew up in the area. Searchers combed the land with dogs trained to search for cadavers, used foot and air patrols, and went door to door but found no traces of him.
Investigators at the time had not determined a motive for the slayings but said deputies had gone to the home the month before the shooting on a domestic dispute call. All three victims were shot multiple times.
The U.S. Marshal’s Service had added Miller to its “15 Most Wanted” list two months after the slayings, offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Agencies/Canadajournal