The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has positively identified human remains discovered in the area of the Manila Dunes on Jan. 5 as that of 56-year-old Pete William Dibean of Manila, California.

Dibean was living in a well-established makeshift metal structure in a homeless encampment at the dunes.

On Jan. 5, at about 4:52 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call regarding human remains in the area of the Manila Dunes homeless encampment. Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies and a deputy coroner responded to the scene and recovered the remains.

An autopsy was conducted on Jan. 10 and the manner of death was determined to be a homicide.

This case is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies to Pete Dibean’s family and friends during this difficult time.

This is an active investigation, and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office thanked those that have come forward with information relating to this case.

The agency encourages others that may have any information about this homicide to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Anonymous Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.