Yucca Valley, California — A missing-person investigation in California has turned into a murder case after authorities discovered a man’s remains buried in a shallow grave behind the home he shared with his roommate.
Investigators now accuse the roommate of not only killing him, but later attempting to assume his identity while traveling hundreds of miles away.
Missing Man’s Family Raised the Alarm
The investigation began on July 3, when deputies with the Morongo Basin area responded to a missing-person report involving 61-year-old Daniel Joslin.
Family members and friends told authorities they had been unable to reach Joslin for approximately 10 days. His last known contact with loved ones was reportedly June 26.
Investigators initially received information suggesting Joslin might have traveled to Oregon. However, detectives found no evidence confirming that he had voluntarily left California.
That uncertainty eventually led investigators back to the home Joslin shared with 60-year-old Cris Leroy Jones in Yucca Valley.
Human Remains Found in Backyard
On July 29, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence on the 58000 block of Carlyle Drive.
During the search, investigators made a grim discovery. Authorities said they found human remains buried in a shallow grave in the backyard.
The remains were later positively identified as Daniel Joslin, transforming the missing-person investigation into a homicide investigation.
Jones, who had become the primary suspect, was no longer in California. Investigators soon learned that he had traveled to Oregon, setting off a search involving law enforcement agencies in both states.
Suspect Allegedly Pretended to Be Dead Roommate
The investigation took another unexpected turn on July 30, when an Oregon deputy encountered a man at a campsite near Harriet Lake in the Mount Hood National Forest.
The man reportedly identified himself as Daniel Joslin.
He also told the deputy that he was the registered owner of a nearby black Ford F-150 pickup truck.
The vehicle’s registration and license plate appeared to match the information the man provided. But when deputies conducted a records check, they discovered something alarming: Daniel Joslin had recently been reported missing in California.
Authorities also learned that California investigators were investigating Joslin’s death and that the man at the campsite could actually be Cris Jones, the homicide suspect.
Investigators Uncovered the Suspect’s True Identity
California and Oregon authorities worked together to confirm that the individual at the campsite was not Joslin. Investigators determined that Jones had allegedly been using Joslin’s identity and driving his pickup truck.
The discovery gave authorities a new lead on the suspect’s location and helped investigators track him through the Oregon wilderness.
A search operation continued as law enforcement worked to locate Jones before he could disappear again.
SWAT Team Arrests Jones in Oregon
On August 2, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit located Jones in the forest. SWAT deputies were directed to his location and moved in to make the arrest.
Authorities said Jones complied with officers’ commands and was taken into custody without incident. During the arrest, deputies recovered a knife and sheath from Jones’ front pants pocket and seized them as evidence.
Investigators have not said whether the knife has any connection to Joslin’s death.
Suspect Faces Murder Charge in California
Jones was booked into the Clackamas County Jail and remained in custody pending extradition to California.
He has been charged with one count of murder in connection with Joslin’s death. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a possible motive for the killing, and investigators have not detailed how Joslin died.
The case remains under investigation as California authorities prepare to bring Jones back to face the murder charge. The allegations against Jones have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty.
What do you think about this disturbing case? How should investigators handle situations where a suspect allegedly attempts to take on a missing person’s identity? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
