Human Head, Two Arms Found Along California River

Northern California authorities have quite a mystery on their hands after finding a human head and three limbs -- but no body -- near a river.

The head and two arms were discovered last weekend along the Feather River, near the site where a severed leg was found several months ago, the Appeal-Democrat.com reported.

The arms belong to a male whose identity may be determined through fingerprints, Sutter County sheriff's Lt. Butah Uppal said. It wasn't clear if the head was that of a male or female.

Two fishermen reported finding the arms Saturday near Beer Can Beach on the Feather River, Uppal told the newspaper. The next day, authorities found the decomposing head up a hill.

The case is being investigated as a homicide, Uppal said.

It is not clear yet if the newly found body parts came from the same man whose leg was found in a plastic bag in November.

A pathologist determined the leg had been surgically removed while the person was alive, the newspaper reported. A DNA sample was taken and police were able to identify the man, but he was never located. Police have not publicly identified the man.

Uppal wouldn't say if the newly found arms had any identifying marks or were found in a plastic bag, the newspaper reported.

A half-dozen cadaver-sniffing dogs searched the area Sunday, but found no additional evidence.

Uppal said federal authorities are assisting with the investigation.

Click here to read more on this story from the Appeal-Democrat.com. 

Northern California authorities are investigating the discovery of a human head and two arms along a river.

Sutter County sheriff's Lt. Butah Uppal says the body parts belong to a male whose identity could be determined through fingerprints.

Uppal says two fishermen reported finding the arms Saturday on Beer Can Beach on the Feather River. Several feet up a hill, authorities found a decomposed head.

The body parts were discovered just a half-mile from the site where a leg in a plastic bag was found in November. Authorities determined the leg had been amputated while the as-yet unidentified person was still alive.