Credit: Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office
Last week, Philip William Frase, 75, was arrested in Yreka, California by investigators with the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office for the 2005 killing of Patricia Joseph.
On July 15, 2005, Joseph, 56, was reported missing from her residence in Fort Jones, California. She was found three days later in the Klamath River near the Ash Creek Bridge along State Route 96, approximately 27 miles north of Fort Jones. The victim was partially clothed and had been in the water for several days. The forensic autopsy revealed Joseph died from multiple blunt force traumas and asphyxia.
In early 2021, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue created a cold case and forensic evidence team to assist Major Crimes Detectives in their investigations. The focus of the team is to prioritize the numerous cold cases and review physical evidence using modern advancements.
The cold case team completed a comprehensive review of the investigation and re-submitted evidence to the Department of Justice for fresh analysis, which produced compelling results connecting Frase to the murder of Joseph.
On Feb. 8, 2023, Frase was formally arraigned in the Siskiyou County Superior Court and charged with the unlawful killing of Joseph. He remains in-custody at the Siskiyou County Jail.
The cold case team will continue to focus on cases of a similar nature.
“This arrest is the result of the determination of our investigators and reflects our faithful commitment to pursuing justice for victims of violent crimes and their families,” said LaRue. “Our cold case team will continue to work on these cases with dedication.”
Republished courtesy of Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.