Joshua Paul Gephart, 36, was found dead from a gunshot wound on July 2, 2023, at about 7:20 a.m. in the 5000 block of Boyd Road in Arcata, California. Originally from Fortuna, Gephart had been living transiently in the Valley West area of Arcata at the time he was killed.

The Arcata Police Department opened a homicide investigation and identified 24-year-old Gregory Nelson Mattox of McKinleyville as the primary suspect. An arrest warrant listed Mattox as armed and dangerous. On August 29, 2023, APD detectives, assisted by Humboldt and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office SWAT teams, located and arrested Mattox in the 13000 block of Bald Hills Road in Orick; he was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on multiple charges including murder, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of probation, and providing false identity to a peace officer.

The community continues to mourn Joshua Gephart’s loss. If anyone has information about Gephart’s movements in Arcata or the Valley West area around late June and early July 2023, please come forward.