Remains recovered in June were examined by a forensic anthropologist and have been identified as Patrick Jay Valente, the Arroyo Grande man who went missing in July 2008. Detectives from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes and Coroner units located the remains in a rural part of the county and the Sheriff’s Office says the discovery is now part of an active investigation. Search and Rescue helped with recovery and investigators are asking anyone with info to contact the Detective Division or Crime Stoppers.

Patrick Jay Valente was reported missing by family in July 2008 after he was last seen at his home in unincorporated Arroyo Grande on July 4, 2008. This identification finally gives the family confirmation after nearly two decades, and I hope it leads to answers and justice for them. I’m glad they at least got a name back thru investigators, cuz that matters.