Rex Donald Shinn, 32, of Honeydew, California, was reported missing in July 2003. His remains were found in January 2007 on private land near Honeydew and identified by dental records. An autopsy showed he had been shot multiple times.

Investigators linked the killing to marijuana cultivation activities in the area. A man accused of shooting Shinn was tried but was acquitted of first-degree murder; the jury deadlocked on second-degree murder, leaving no definitive criminal resolution in the case.