Remains of missing man found in Felton

A family taking a hike along the San Lorenzo River near the picnic area in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park on Monday, April 4, discovered the body of a 58-year-old man who had been missing from a residential care facility in Felton since March 23.
Timothy Cates, a 10-year resident of Rose Acres Residential Care in Felton, left for a walk March 23 and did not return home. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search, with the help of volunteers, the sheriff’s posse and others, but did not find him.
During the search, there was worry that Cates had walked into the area of the San Lorenzo River, which was flowing at peak capacity during the heavy rainstorms of late March.
According the sheriff’s office, the remains had been exposed to the elements and became visible as the San Lorenzo River receded after the storms.
The sheriff’s office reports that Cates often took walks and had a history of mental health problems. An autopsy was scheduled for late in the week.