Son of James Whetstone charged with murder of his father; Whetstone’s remains discovered at his home (updated 1:20pm)

WILLITS, 10/15/20 — The remains of James Andrew Whetstone, 69 of Willits, who had been missing since Oct. 9, were discovered yesterday in a fresh grave at his property; his son, James Presley Whetstone, 29 of Willits, who also resides at the property, was arrested and charged in the killing of his father. The younger Whetstone, who has long suffered from very severe mental health problems, is being held in Mendocino County Jail on a charge of murder.

The senior Whetstone was reported missing on the morning of October 9, having last been seen at his family’s home on Valley Road outside of Willits (see previous reporting here). After multiple days of investigation by Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office investigators, officials returned to the property and questioned his son.