Phillip Wayne Whitmill, a 73‑year‑old Black man standing approximately 6'3" or 6'4" tall and weighing around 160–190 lbs with brown eyes, a bald head, and a goatee, was last seen on **October 18, 2024**, near the **8800 block of Redwood Boulevard** in **California City, California**.
At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a **bright green oversized polo shirt**, **blue or dark‑gray sweatpants**, and gray shoes. He had been diagnosed with **dementia**, and authorities considered him **at‑risk**, triggering a **Silver Alert** issued by the California Highway Patrol in late October 2024. The alert urged the public not to approach him and instead to contact police or call 911 if sighted.
The California City Police Department opened the case under **case number CR24‑1134** and circulated his description widely to media and community members, emphasizing his vulnerability due to cognitive impairment. Local outlets including BakersfieldNow published stories noting that Whitmill had vanished around **4:40–5:00 p.m.** on October 18, with minor variations in description—he was alternately described as 6'3" and weighing 160 lbs, commonly at 6'4" and 190 lbs—suggesting some discrepancies in early reporting.
In **April 2025**, human skeletal remains were discovered in the **9000 block of Redwood Boulevard**, just one block from where he was last seen. These remains were later identified by DNA testing on **July 9, 2025**, as those of Phillip Wayne Whitmill. Subsequent autopsy results from the Kern County Coroner’s Office determined that the cause of death was **natural causes**, ruling out foul play.
From initial disappearance through discovery and confirmation, the case unfolded consistently within California City along Redwood Boulevard. Authorities had issued alerts, circulated identifying details, and engaged the community over many months. Ultimately, forensic identification and medical findings confirmed his death as non‑criminal.
Last Seen: Oct 18, 2024
