On the afternoon of February 23rd, 2026, Grass Valley Police Officers and Detectives responded to a wooded area in the 200 block of Sutton Way in Grass Valley, for a suspicious circumstance involving an unresponsive subject. Upon police arrival, an adult male was discovered to be deceased.
The area of discovery is a private property parcel commonly accessed by unhoused individuals. It is rural in nature and offered only short-range visibility due to the density of vegetation. Over the past seven days, this area, and all of Grass Valley, has undergone numerous weather events, including snow, rain, freezing temperatures, and thaw cycles. Based on the complexity of changing conditions, the timing of death is difficult to determine with any degree of accuracy in the field.
The decedent in this case has been identified as Sage A. Wilson, age 29. Mr. Wilson was a resident of Grass Valley. At this time no foul play is suspected. An official cause of death will be determined at autopsy, which is being scheduled to take place in the coming days.
Our condolences are extended to Mr. Wilson’s family. If you or anyone you know is struggling with shelter, or in need of life sustaining supplies, you are encouraged to contact Nevada County Connecting Point by dialing 2-1-1.