Authorities seek help identifying partial skull found in Lynnwood park

A homeless man discovered the skull at Scriber Lake Park. Forensic scientists hope to connect the remains to a missing person.

Provided by Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office
A skeletonized cranium found at Scriber Lake Park in Lynnwood, WA on March 24, 2024. The remains are likely a black male estimated to be over 25 years of age and unknown height and weight. He is estimated to have been deceased at least one year.

Provided by Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office A skeletonized cranium found at Scriber Lake Park in Lynnwood, WA on March 24, 2024. The remains are likely a black male estimated to be over 25 years of age and unknown height and weight. He is estimated to have been deceased at least one year.

LYNNWOOD — Months after a partial skull was discovered at a park in Lynnwood, authorities are asking for help to identify the remains.

On March 24, a homeless man at Scriber Lake Park in Lynnwood discovered a “skeletonized cranium,” or the head and face of a skull, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office. The mandible, or the lower jaw, was missing.

No other remains were discovered, said Nicole Krueger, operations manager for the medical examiner’s office. The homeless man handed the skull to a nearby homeowner and walked away, Lynnwood police spokesperson Maren McKay said.

That man has not been located or identified, McKay said. It was unclear exactly where he discovered the skull.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Authorities believe the remains likely belonged to a Black man over the age of 25, who had been dead for at least one year.

Identifying skeletonized remains is time consuming. Since the discovery, forensic scientists performed dental exams on the cranium, Snohomish County medical investigator Jane Jorgensen said Wednesday. After charting the man’s dental records, scientists entered the results into NCIC, a national FBI database, and NamUS, another missing persons database.

The Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit generated a report of 35 potential matches for every missing person with dental records. There were no hits.

“It’s either a person who’s not reported missing, or they’re reported missing and not in the NCIC or NamUS,” Jorgensen said.

For now, the unidentified man has been dubbed the “Scriber Lake Doe.” Authorities haven’t determined the cause and manner of death.

In May, forensic artist Natalie Murry reconstructed an estimation of the man’s face. Murry has 24 years of experience working with skulls and using advanced reconstructive techniques. Since 2016, she’s collaborated with the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office, providing sketches for the Horace Prescott and Gary Lee Haynie cold cases, among others.

With only part of a skull to work with, Murry used “artistic canons,” a method of drawing a sketch based on characteristics seen in the average person’s face, then extrapolating how he would have looked from unique sections on the skull.

“I don’t want it to be a generic guy, I want it to be this guy, what makes it look like this guy in particular?” Murry said. “Every skull is an individual, every face is an individual.”

Tips can be directed to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at 425-388-3393. If you know someone who was listed as missing, call the agency that took the report, to ensure they’re still listed as missing.

Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @snocojon.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Cars drive along Cathcart Way next to the site of the proposed Eastview Village development that borders Little Cedars Elementary on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in unincorporated Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former engineer: Snohomish County rushed plans for Eastview development

David Irwin cited red flags from the developers. After he resigned, the county approved the development that’s now stalled with an appeal

Outside of the Madrona School on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sewer district notifies Edmonds schools of intent to sue

The letter of intent alleges the school district has failed to address long-standing “water pollution issues” at Madrona K-8 School.

Everett
Man stabbed in face outside Everett IHOP, may lose eye

Police say the suspect fled in the victim’s car, leading officers on a 6-mile chase before his arrest.

A person walks up 20th Street Southeast to look at the damage that closed the road on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WA delegation urges Trump to reconsider request for bomb cyclone aid

The Washington state congressional delegation urged President Donald Trump on… Continue reading

Aaron Weinstock uses an x-ray machine toy inside the Imagine Children Museum on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Imagine Children’s Museum $250k grant reinstated following federal court order

The federal grant supports a program that brings free science lessons to children throughout rural Snohomish County.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Everett
Five arrested in connection with Everett toddler’s 2024 overdose death

More than a year after 13-month-old died, Everett police make arrests in overdose case.

Madison Family Shelter Family Support Specialist Dan Blizard talks about one of the pallet homes on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Madison Family Shelter reopens after hiatus

The Pallet shelter village, formerly Faith Family Village, provides housing for up to eight families for 90 days.

(City of Everett)
Everett’s possible new stadium has a possible price tag

City staff said a stadium could be built for $82 million, lower than previous estimates. Bonds and private investment would pay for most of it.

Jennifer Humelo, right, hugs Art Cass outside of Full Life Care Snohomish County on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘I’ll lose everything’: Snohomish County’s only adult day health center to close

Full Life Care in Everett, which supports adults with disabilities, will shut its doors July 19 due to state funding challenges.

A member of the Sheriff's office works around evidence as investigators work the scene on 20th Street SE near Route 9 after police shot and killed a man suspected in a car theft on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Family of Lake Stevens man shot by police sues over mental health care delays

Lawsuit says state failed to evaluate James Blancocotto before he was shot fleeing in a patrol car.

The age of bridge 503 that spans Swamp Creek can be seen in its timber supports and metal pipes on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. The bridge is set to be replaced by the county in 2025. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County report: 10 bridges set for repairs, replacement

An annual report the county released May 22 details the condition of local bridges and future maintenance they may require.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.