Remains Are Identified as Missing Former Ojai Artist

Three-and-a-half years after former Ojai artist Patricia Danisch disappeared while jogging, a Humboldt County coroner has identified a skull found near Eureka last month as that of the missing woman.

Dental records verified the match to Danisch, who was 55 when she was reported missing by family members in September 1994. Although the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department has never closed its investigation, family members did not suspect foul play, said longtime friend Diane Volz of Ventura.

Danisch had seemingly left her home to jog, which she often did, and never returned. A resident found her remains in a forest Nov. 18.

For many years, Danish was a prominent painter in Ojai. “She was esteemed in Ojai as one of the finest artists that ever passed through this artists’ community,” said Volz, who added that Danisch had moved to Eureka seven years ago.

Danish is survived by two daughters, Maraika Danisch of Eureka and Jennifer Danisch of Santa Barbara; one son, Paul Danisch of Eureka; one brother, James Burke, and her former husband, ceramist James Danisch, also of the Eureka area.