Remains found near Chalk Mountain Golf Course on July 9 belong to Atascadero resident Darren Santangelo

ATASCADERO — The Coroner’s Unit of the Sheriff’s Office has officially identified the remains found near the Chalk Mountain Golf Course on July 9 as belonging to 35-year-old Atascadero resident Darren Santangelo, who had been reported missing in July. Santangelo’s disappearance had been reported by concerned family members on July 6 to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

Santangelo was last seen by a family member on the evening of June 30, leaving his residence located in the 7500 block of Rocky Canyon Road in Atascadero. A few days later on July 9 the Atascadero Police Department responded to a call regarding the discovery of human remains near a walking trail close to the Chalk Mountain Golf Course. The remains, due to their condition, were believed to have been at the location for an extended period of time. At that point, the identity of the deceased individual was unknown, and an investigation was launched to determine the cause and circumstances of death.

As the investigation unfolded, Coroner Detectives were able to positively identify the remains as those of Darren Santangelo. The Atascadero Police Department’s Investigations Unit received this notification from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office on August 10. However, the details surrounding the circumstances of Santangelo’s death remain unclear, and authorities are actively continuing their efforts to uncover more information.

Presently, law enforcement officials have stated that there are no immediate indications that the death was suspicious or the result of foul play. Nonetheless, the investigation remains ongoing.