San Andreas, CA—After not being able to lay their loved one to rest for four decades, this week the remains of a victim of the Wilseyville serial killer case were returned to his family.
As reported here in January of last year, the remains of former San Francisco man, Reginald “Reggie” Frisby, one of 11 to 25 people tortured and murdered by serial killers Leonard Lake and Charles Ng, were uncovered in 1985. At the time, investigators were unable to determine his identity.
“Although previous efforts were made to identify him, the breakthrough came after the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force was established in 2020,” according to sheriff’s officials, noting, “Advancements in DNA technology and the emergence of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) enabled the Task Force to restore Reggie’s identity and continue bringing long-overdue answers to families.”
Sheriff’s officials shared that Frisby had never been reported missing and, for decades, was not believed to be connected to the Wilseyville serial killer case.
On Monday, July 13, 2026, members of the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force, along with Sheriff Rachelle Whiting and District 3 County Supervisor Martin Huberty, held a memorial to return Frisby’s remains to his family. A brief invocation led by a sheriff’s chaplain, closing a chapter of the Task Force’s work.
One of the task force’s most significant undertakings has been the investigation of almost 1,000 human remains excavated from a San Andreas crypt linked to the Wilseyville Serial Killings. That effort continues today and remains vital to the task force’s mission of identifying victims and returning them to their loved ones. Sheriff’s officials added, “The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Reginald ‘Reggie’ Frisby. While no amount of time can erase the pain of losing a loved one, it has been a profound honor to help restore Reggie’s identity and return him to his family with the dignity he deserved. The Task Force remains committed to providing answers to families who have waited far too long and ensuring that every victim is remembered by name.”
The task force was made possible entirely through donated funds, totaling more than $300,000 in private laboratory testing, forensic analysis, and genealogical research to reexamine remains and identify victims as part of these ongoing investigations.
The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force officials also hinted that “additional major case updates are pending.” For more information about the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force and its ongoing work, click here.
