Human remains discovered in a rural area of San Luis Obispo County have been identified as a man whose disappearance nearly two decades ago was considered suspicious, authorities said.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said detectives began investigating a report of possible human remains in June 2026.

Detectives from the Major Crimes and Coroner units, along with forensic specialists, located the remains and determined they were human.

A forensic anthropologist later identified the remains as Patrick Jay Valente, 58, who lived in unincorporated Arroyo Grande when his family reported him missing in July 2008.

The circumstances surrounding Valente’s disappearance were considered suspicious and investigated by the Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.

Major Crimes detectives are now investigating the newly discovered evidence in connection with the continuing investigation into his disappearance.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information about Valente’s disappearance or the circumstances surrounding his death is asked to contact the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (805) 781-4500 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 549-7867.

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