A major breakthrough has solved a 23-year-old mystery in Northern California, identifying a man whose body was pulled from a marsh back in 2001. The man, now known as Craig William Ott from Sacramento, was linked to another tragic case involving his brother.
On March 11, 2001, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a body found in Minor Slough, a water inlet near Ryer Island in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Despite extensive efforts, the man’s identity remained unknown, and he was buried as “Solano County John Doe #3.”
In 2023, as part of a project to reopen cold cases using new forensic techniques, John Doe #3’s body was exhumed for further investigation. Thanks to advanced DNA testing by Othram, a lab in Texas, the man was finally identified as Craig William Ott.
Craig Ott was born in 1956 and spent most of his life in the Auburn and Sacramento areas. At the time of his death, he was a 44-year-old U.S. Army veteran working in construction, according to his daughter, Sheila Ott.
“He was an amazing dad to me. We were very close,” Sheila shared. “His mom passed away three years ago. She never gave up hope of finding him.”
Craig Ott disappeared in January 2001, two months before his body was found. The circumstances around his disappearance are unclear, but Sheila believes her father was murdered. “We hope someone knows something,” she said.
Adding another layer to this tragic story, Craig’s brother, Dennis S. Ott, is currently serving time in the California State Prison in Vacaville for murdering his wife, Phonthip Ott, in 1992. Her body was found in the Sacramento River, weighed down in a duffel bag. Although the two cases involve the same family, authorities have not found a direct link between Craig’s disappearance and Phonthip’s murder.
The Solano County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the investigation into Craig Ott’s death is ongoing, and his family is helping with the case. “We will not release more details to protect the investigation,” said Sgt. Rexall Hawkins.
Sheila Ott expressed relief at finally being able to give her father a proper burial. “Too many questions with no answers,” she said.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help. Anyone with information about Craig Ott’s disappearance is encouraged to contact coroner’s office investigator Jessica Dew at 707-784-7500.