Skull found after man mentions cremation, skeletal remains discovered

Authorities in California have detained a man following the discovery of a burned skull and other human remains on his property, officials in the state report.

Joseph Dexter Taylor, aged 52, faces charges including one count each of murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and carrying a concealed weapon, along with two counts of arson, based on information from the Butte County Sheriff's Office.

The incident took place in a home on Ricky Road, located in the rural Hurleton area east of Oroville, a small city roughly 70 miles north of Sacramento. The victim is believed to be 33-year-old Chris Kidwell.

On March 21, two individuals called 911 to alert authorities of their discovery of "what they believed to be a human skull and other skeletal remains" at the mentioned property, as detailed in a press release from the Butte County District Attorney's Office.

"The witnesses reported that Taylor showed up at their residence in the early hours of March 20, appearing uneasy and discussing a cremation," states the press release. "They also observed burn marks on Taylor’s legs."

Formal charges were filed against Taylor later that day, stated the sheriff's office.

Investigation findings led officials to conclude that the remains could be those of Kidwell, who reportedly had been residing on Taylor's property since late 2025, according to District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

Authorities are awaiting DNA results for a final confirmation of the identity. Kidwell's family had previously reached out to the sheriff's office on March 20, concerned after failing to contact him for around a week, as per the DA's office.

"Investigation evidence suggests Kidwell was shot prior to Taylor burning his remains," continues the DA’s press release.

The sheriff's office outlined the details of the investigation in their own announcement, describing the progress made after the emergency call.

"Deputies arrived at the scene and verified the presence of the remains," the release states. "Detectives secured a search warrant for two parcels on Ricky Road, recovering the human remains and additional evidence pertinent to the case."

The sheriff's office described their investigation as "thorough," uncovering evidence that "leads them to believe" the defendant committed the murder.

"Taylor was already being held at the Butte County Jail on a separate felony warrant," according to the sheriff’s release. The DA’s office noted that the previous warrant was linked to a firearm charge.

Taylor is being held without bail and also faces pending arson charges in Lake County, as stated by the DA’s office.

He appeared in court on March 26, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 2.