Missing Millbrae man found dead: Homicide investigation underway after body found in Sonoma County

Green, 27, was last seen in late April leaving his Millbrae home to meet the mother of his two daughters at a nearby pancake house. When he did not return by the next morning, family and friends contacted law enforcement, which began a manhunt spanning the Bay Area.

Despite his cellphone being recovered by a hiker in Golden Gate Park the day after his disappearance, law enforcement had been treating Green’s case as a missing person’s investigation.

But after finding his body, investigators are now searching for who may be responsible for the death.

“This case has taken a turn, and is now being investigated as a homicide,” Zuno said. “Because it is a homicide, there isn’t any information I can release.”

Zuno offered scant details on the case, but he said material found at the site, and perhaps on the body, led law enforcement to believe foul play was afoot.

“It is being determined as a homicide based on information at the scene,” he said.

Zuno declined to comment whether Green has been stabbed or shot to death. The body was identified through dental records. No suspects or people of interest have been identified.

Going forward, the primary interest of law enforcement is identifying those who may have information which may lead to an arrest, Zuno said.

“Right now our focus is to find out what happened to Keith,” said Zuno. “And it is our job to do the best job we can for him and his family.”

Friends and family had plastered fliers throughout Millbrae and nearby communities about the ongoing search for Green, and raised more than $20,000 through an online fundraising campaign which would have paid toward information leading to a safe return.

His mother Colleen Cudd had characterized her son as a loving and committed father of two young daughters who was working two jobs as part of an effort to get his life back on track.

Green and the mother of his children had hit a troubled stretch in their relationship, Cudd had said, and the two hired attorneys to settle their ongoing custody dispute.

When he went to go meet the mother of his children the night he disappeared, Green left his home without taking his wallet or car keys.

Zuno said Green had a prior arrest record, but did not release information, for fear of compromising the investigation. He denied Green’s death was related to any gang affiliation.

A San Mateo native and former star quarterback at Aragon High School, Green earned a partial scholarship to play football at Eastern Washington University.

Steve Sell, his coach at Aragon High School when Green played in 2005, remembered a talented player.

“Sad news about Keith,” he said. “He was a spectacular, gifted athlete. Just very athletic, very smooth. He made everything look easy.”

Beyond his ability between the lines, Sell recalled Green’s affable and easy-going personality.

“He was just a sweet kid,” Sell said. “His teammates liked him. He was a great kid to coach.”

In lieu of offering many details regarding the circumstances of the death, Zuno said investigators are committed to solving the case as quickly as possible.

“Because it is a homicide, the important thing for us right now is to get as much information as we can to find out what happened to Keith, and that is our focus” said Zuno.

Those who may have information about the case have been asked to call sheriff's Detective John Carroll at (650) 259-2313 or Deputy Juan Valencia at (707) 565-8871.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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