Chico, CA-
On Sunday, March 26, 2017, at about 10:50 am, Butte County Sheriff’s Office
(BCSO) deputies were dispatched to Lone Pine Avenue near Chico River Road in
Chico after a passerby noticed a body in Little Chico Creek. Deputies arrived
and found a deceased male in the water. Butte County Search and Rescue crews
were dispatched to the scene to retrieve the body and BCSO detectives were also
dispatched to investigate. Through fingerprint analysis, the body has been identified
as William Kohnke, age 33, of Chico. William was reported missing to the Chico
Police Department in January 2017.
BCSO
detectives, in conjunction with the Chico Police Department, are investigating
this case as a homicide, due to evidence collected at the scene.
An autopsy has
been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death and the investigation is
ongoing. No arrests have been made and anyone with information is urged to
contact Detective Jim Beller at (530) 538-7671.