Closure Found Decades After Tragic Humboldt Bay Accident

In the early morning before sunrise on Humboldt Bay, a fishing vessel named Silver Spray encountered a formidable 18-foot wave. This wave damaged the boat, throwing four men onboard into the dark waters. Skipper Al Burns recounted the experience to The Times, describing how the 35-foot boat sank while he somersaulted underwater. The incident occurred on December 14, 1999. Unfortunately, one man went missing and remained unaccounted for until recently when a piece of evidence washed ashore.

More than twenty years later, a single bone discovered on a beach has provided closure to the family of Jonathan Raxa, a father of three from California. Raxa’s remains were finally identified, ending his status as a missing person. Burns reflected on the harrowing event, noting he felt certain of his impending death as the boat’s pilothouse was torn away.

Raxa’s body was not found after he was cast into turbulent waters. The discovery of a bone approximately 20 miles from the crash site of Silver Spray proved significant. It marked the end of a mystery that lasted nearly three decades. Investigators matched the bone to Raxa using a DNA sample from his son taken years earlier.

Jonathan Raxa, 37 at the time, owned the Silver Spray and had been intensifying his crab fishing efforts. He aimed to fund a trip to his native Laos. However, the crab season in December often presents dangers. Humboldt Bay is the second-largest bay in California and is known for its treacherous waves, which have led to numerous accidents.

The commercial fishing industry is recognized as hazardous by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. From 2000 to 2017, the profession experienced a fatality rate over 28 times the national average.

In March 2026, a human sacrum, a bone at the base of the spine, turned up on Centerville Beach, 20 miles from the site of the tragedy. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office submitted the bone for DNA analysis. With a DNA match confirmed, authorities could inform Raxa’s family of the discovery.

The Sheriff’s Office highlighted the critical role of maintaining DNA samples from relatives of missing persons. Such measures can help solve long-standing cases, providing families with answers after many years.