Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of human remains discovered by a hiker in the McGuireville area, north of Rimrock around 1:30 p.m. Jan. 1. The GPS coordinates provided placed the hiker near Dry Beaver Creek in a small wash about two miles northwest of the McGuireville rest area. On Jan. 8, the Yavapai County Medical Examiner confirmed the remains found on Jan. 1 near McGuireville are that of 31-year-old Shane Michael Rollman.
On Jan. 1, deputies hiked into the reported location and confirmed human remains in an advanced state of decay at the bottom of a sandy wash in thick brush.
The Yavapai County Medical Examiner’s Office was contacted and based on the logistics of removing the remains and pending sunset, determined the recovery would occur the following morning.
The next day, under the direction of YCSO Forest Patrol Deputies, members of the Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team’s Back Country and Quad unit assisted with the recovery using all-terrain vehicles to access the site.
The remains were turned over the to custody of the Yavapai County Medical Examiner.
YCSO evidence technicians were also on scene to collect clothing and any potential evidence likely associated with the body following a line search of the grounds.
Rollman was reported missing to the West Covina Police Department in California; he was last seen Sept. 12. Rollman’s abandoned white BMW sedan was found by Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers on Sept. 23 at the McGuireville rest stop off Interstate 17, 450 miles from his home. Rollman was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, jeans and black shoes.
Rollman could not be located following a search by Troopers and subsequent extensive search effort by YCSO Forest Patrol Deputies and search volunteers.
The cause and manner of death is still pending, in part due to toxicology test results which are underway.
According to Rollman’s family, he was an actor and sales representative who enjoyed stargazing and hiking. Family members said the car was out of gas when it was located. Family found Rollman’s cell phone and computer in the backseat. He had reportedly removed $700 from his bank account at an ATM.
