A 26-year-old Eureka man, Root Harvest Birimisa, was released from Humboldt County Correctional Facility one day before being taken into custody again in Mendocino County following a traffic stop. A search of his towed van by officers three days after the stop revealed the body of his mother, 53-year-old Christine Ann Randolph. It is being investigated as a suspicious death by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
An autopsy was performed for Randolph Friday. Results are pending a toxicology report that could take four to six weeks, according an email from MCSO. A Friday release from the agency notes that blood alcohol and toxicology analysis will be part of the autopsy.
“There is an active Coroner’s Investigation underway and thus far the death is considered a suspicious death pending official autopsy findings,” said Gregory L. Van Patten, a public information officer for MCSO in an email when asked if the death is being investigated as a homicide.
Birimisa was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on Oct. 8, one day after being released from the Humboldt County correctional facility. According to records from the Humboldt County court system, Birimisa was released Oct. 7 on bail at $75,000. He was being held for a September arrest.
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s office filed felony charges against Birimisa on Sept. 25, alleging he committed a lewd act upon a child and assault involving an eight-year-old Victim Doe, along with alleged burglary.
Officers found Randolph after searching the van, a Toyota Sienna reportedly shared by Birimisa and Randolph, which was at a towing business in Willits. The van was taken to the towing business Oct. 8 following the Ukiah California Highway Patrol traffic stop that led to the arrest of Birimisa. The van was searched by MCSO detectives and Eureka Police Department officers Oct. 11, according to the MCSO release.
“The interior of the Toyota Sienna van was packed with a significant number of belongings to include clothing, luggage and living supplies. Investigators began removing the belongings and subsequently located a deceased female adult who was located in a section of concaved flooring which was concealed by the large number of belongings,” a release from Mendocino County Sherriff’s office said.
The Eureka Police Department initiated a missing person’s investigation Oct. 9, according to the release. It says investigators learned Randolph’s family had become concerned for her safety after learning of Birimisa’s arrest, that the pair were known to be traveling together.
The preliminary examination for Birimisa’s charges in Humboldt County is set for Nov. 6. He is currently being held in Mendocino County Jail with a total bond amount of $680,000, according to the Mendocino County booking logs. Birimisa’s next court date is Oct. 19 in Mendocino.
The Friday release from MCSO notes that officers from a number of North Coast agencies assisted in the effort. Those with information are asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 707-234-2100 or the WeTip anonymous crime reporting hotline at 800-782-7463.
Sage Alexander can be reached at 707-441-0504
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