Coroner: Remains Found Inside Sneaker on Washington Beach Were From a Bear Paw, Not a Human

The Clallam County Coroner’s Office confirmed a surprising finding after forensic analysis of remains discovered inside a sneaker that washed ashore at Port Williams Beach in Sequim, Washington.

The white Puma sneaker, described as a women’s size 5–5.5 with green and blue Sharpie markings on the exterior, was reported to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office just before 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 9. It was found roughly 50 feet from the Port Williams Beach boat launch at Marly Nelson County Park.

Initial Response and Forensic Examination

A deputy who responded to the scene confirmed there was soft tissue and bone inside the shoe. The sneaker and its contents were sent to the Clallam County Coroner’s Office and then forwarded to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office for further study.

Education Images/Universal Images Group via GettyA stock image of a grizzly bear

On Dec. 11, a state forensic anthropologist concluded the material inside the shoe was a bear paw, not human remains. The coroner’s office reported no human biological material was detected inside or on the outside of the shoe, which investigators described as "clean."

Investigation Status and Context

Investigators from the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office told local media they have not found any related items in the immediate area and provided no additional information. How the bear paw came to be inside the sneaker remains unclear.

For context, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates there are at least 25,000 bears in Washington state, including black bears and the much rarer grizzly. Grizzly bears are protected at state and federal levels; the agency notes there are about 1,000 black bears for every grizzly in Washington.

Reported by local outlets including KIRO 7, The Sequim Gazette and KOMO News; initial coverage also appeared in PEOPLE.