Detectives from Homicide have been investigating the origins of the remains of the human bones, located inside the residence, where Michael Deatherage resided at the time of a drug and explosives and weapons bust in Lake Isabella.
The public information officer from Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) reported, to the press on December 29, a bust which occurred on December 26, wherein a search warrant for an investigation at the 3000 block of Erskine Creek Road, in Lake Isabella, led to the finding of 52 year old Michael Deatherage, who was allegedly in the possession of firearms.
The Gang Suppression Unit served a search warrant wherein the investigation findings from Deatherage’s dwelling included two hand grenades and suspected human remains though the investigation ultimately led to far more than these expectations. These findings led to the KCSO’s Homocide Unit and Bomb Squad and Crime Scene Investigations Unit responding to what was then considered a crime scene.
Within the residence deputies located over 30 firearms along with some hand grenades. Officers also seized 95 grams of methamphetamine, and found evidence of the sale of the illegal substance, along with bomb making materials. Police also found 10,000 rounds of ammunition and, of earnest concern, the suspected human remains.
According to police reports, officials arrested and booked Deatherage into the Lerdo Jail for all of these charges: manufacturing a replica hand grenade; illegally possessing an assault weapon; illegally possessing an explosive substance; illegally possessing an explosive; illegally possessing a destructive device; illegally possessing a chemical precursor for a destructive device; manufacturing a short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of a firearm; felon in possession of ammunition; possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of sales; maintaining a residence for the purposes of sales of a controlled substance and possession of additional destructive devices.
