Wednesday, 12 August 2026, 9:43
On June 8, a passerby reported an unidentified woman's body along Hawkinsville View Road. A patrol unit arrived and found the body that morning. Detectives later identified the woman through forensic analysis as Frankie Marie Keller of Seiad Valley.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office announced the homicide findings Monday morning. Frankie Marie Keller was found dead along Hawkinsville View Road in the community of Hawkinsville. Detectives identified her roommate as the prime suspect and obtained an arrest warrant on June 29.
That same day, Sacramento County sheriff's deputies stopped Hernandez while she was driving from Butte County toward Sacramento. She was taken into custody without incident and returned to Siskiyou County.
Hernandez was booked into the Siskiyou County Jail on suspicion of murder. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 14 at the county courthouse. The investigation remains active, according to sheriff's spokesperson Sage Milestone.
On August 3, 2026, the sheriff's office issued a press release updating the public on the case. The release confirmed the timeline and again asked for assistance in locating next of kin. For media inquiries, contact the public information officer at (530) 598 1647.
Hawkinsville is a small unincorporated community in Siskiyou County, a rural region along the Oregon border. The case required coordination between multiple agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, to bring the suspect back to Siskiyou County.
Homicides are uncommon in Siskiyou County, making this case particularly notable for residents. The sheriff's office has not released a possible motive. The public is being asked to assist in locating Keller's family members.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Keller's family or the circumstances of her death to contact Agent Smith or Detective Gulick with the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office at 530-841-2900. The case will move forward with the Aug. 14 preliminary hearing.
