Bone found on California beach identified as fisherman lost at sea in 1999

A human bone discovered on a Northern California beach has been identified as belonging to a fisherman who went missing over 25 years ago. The remains were confirmed to be those of Jonathan Raxa, who was lost at sea in 1999 when a rogue wave struck his boat in Humboldt Bay.

Raxa, 37, was last seen on the commercial fishing vessel when an 18-foot wave smashed into the boat, tearing off the pilot house and sending it into the water. The 35-foot boat subsequently sank.

According to reports at the time, the skipper of the boat managed to cling to a five-gallon oil can and was eventually pulled to safety by other crew members onto their raft. Three of the four individuals on board were recovered from the water, but Raxa, the boat's owner, was never found.

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office obtained a family DNA sample from Raxa's son. In March of this year, a human sacrum bone was found on Centerville Beach. The bone was sent to the California Department of Justice for DNA analysis, which ultimately identified it as Raxa's remains.

"Raxa’s family was contacted and notified of the identification," the sheriff's office stated. "This case highlights the importance of collecting and preserving DNA samples from family members of missing persons. These samples can provide critical investigative leads and assist law enforcement in identifying missing persons and resolving cases, even decades after a person’s disappearance."

From 1992 to 2008, the U.S. fishing industry was considered one of the most dangerous professions, with an average of 58 fatalities per year.