• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About DCC and the writer
  • Guest Writers
  • Testimonials
  • Archives 2009 – present
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact

Defrosting Cold Cases

Est. 2009

  • Cold Case Database: Index and Summaries
    • Index
      • Cases Index A-G
      • Cases Index H-N
      • Cases Index O-Z
    • Summaries
      • Case Summaries A-G
      • Case Summaries H-N
      • Case Summaries O-Z
  • Two Research Methods
  • How to search for a case
  • Case of the Month (2014 – 2024)
  • Book Reviews
You are here: Home / Archives for California

California

Indictment in 1974 Anita Andrews murder

October 30, 2010 By Alice

Anita Elizabeth Fagiani Andrews

Roy Allen Melanson has been indicted for the 1974 murder of Anita Elizabeth Fagiani Andrews: during a two-day hearing earlier this month, the grand jury found there was enough evidence to hold Melanson in connection with the crime. UPDATE: Melanson was found guilty of first degree murder. The hearing, which was held in secret, without […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Anita Elizabeth Fagiani Andrews, California, Roy Allen Melanson

Night Stalker’s DNA confirmed

October 19, 2010 By Alice

Lady Justice: Petition for a Writ of Certiorari denied for Zeigler on May 19, 2014.

The Night Stalker a.k.a. Richard Ramirez terrorized California in the early 80s with a string of rape-murders. His DNA has now finally been retested allowing San Francisco Police to close the case of the 1984 murder of a 9-year-old girl in the Tenderloin. Though the retesting of the serial killer’s DNA was largely a formality — meant simply […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Autopsy, California, Capital Punishment, DNA, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Night Stalker. Richard Ramirez, Rape kits

1988 murders of Hulon and Elaine Hughes solved

September 14, 2010 By Alice

RIP Thomas Chan

The 1988 Apple Valley Murders of Hulon and Elaine Hughes have been solved thanks to a federal DNA grant. Hulon and Elaine Hughes were found shot to death in their California Apple Valley home on Oct. 12, 1988. They operated two business on the property: Hughes Roofing and B&S Paving. They employed Harold David Toney as a mechanic […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: California, DNA, Forensics, Hulon and Elaine Hughes

Andy Moore (April 25, 1974 – Sept 9, 2000)

September 9, 2010 By Alice

Andy Moore

The parents of Andy Moore want answers. They hope that talking about the circumstances of their son’s death and offering a large reward will prompt someone who knows something to come forward. Andy was murdered in his studio apartment on the corner of Ash and 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego, California, USA. Police believe that Andy was […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Andy Moore, Autopsy, California, Crime Scene, Evidence, Forensics, San Diego

Amber Nicklas back in Foster Care

July 19, 2010 By Alice

Amber Nicklas has learned her true name and is being given therapy to cope with the trauma of leaving the only family she remembers, an investigator said Monday. Amber was placed with an undisclosed California foster family until authorities can decide where she finally will live, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Capt. Patrick Maxwell said. He had no immediate […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Missing Persons Tagged With: Amber Nicklas, California, FBI, Forensics, Missing Person

More details in Amber Rose Nicklas Case

July 16, 2010 By Alice

More details are now available in the missing person case of Amber Rose Nicklas, the little girl who was abducted from California when she was just one year old and who resurfaced in Phoenix, AZ. The family who raised her as their own are now fighting for legal custody. They claim that they had no idea that the baby […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Missing Persons Tagged With: Amber Nicklas, California, Evidence, FBI, Forensics, Missing Person

Update Amber Nicklas Case

July 15, 2010 By Alice

Amber Nicklas

Amber Nicklas remains in protective custody in Los Angeles and it was not clear if she will be reunited with her foster parents. Authorities have not released any names or filed any charges but continue to investigate. “This girl was taken away from the only parents and family that she knows yesterday,” said Phoenix police […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Missing Persons Tagged With: Amber Nicklas, Arizona, California, Child Abuse, FBI, Forensics, Missing Person

Amber Nicklas found after seven years

July 15, 2010 By Alice

Amber Nicklas

Amber Nicklas, a California girl missing for almost seven years was found last Wednesday by police in Phoenix, Arizona, authorities said. The girl had just turned a year old when she was abducted in September 2003. She had been in the care of foster parents in Norwalk, California, when she was snatched by three of […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Missing Persons Tagged With: Amber Nicklas, California, DNA, Evidence, Forensics, Missing Person

Arrest for Keith Combs and Eugene Ellis

July 10, 2010 By Alice

Finally justice for Keith Combs and Eugene Ellis: Authorities say DNA evidence led to an arrest in the 1993 killings of two enlisted sailors whose bodies were found in a field in San Diego County. Leopoldo Castro Chavez II was arrested last Wednesday on suspicion of gunning down the two men in an Otay Mesa […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Autopsy, Ballistics, California, Crime Scene, DNA, Eugene Ellis, Forensics, Keith Combs, Keith Combs and Eugene Ellis, Unsolved Homicide

Hina Family Murders from 1989 cracked

July 3, 2010 By Alice

Photograph AdS

On Wednesday, New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney announced that David McLeod has been arrested in West Sacramento, California, on four counts of second-degree murder for “recklessly causing the death of the Hina family under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life,” according to a written statement from the attorney general’s office. […]

Thank you for sharing!

  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Arson Detection, California, David McLeod, Forensics, Hina Family, New Hampshire, Unsolved Homicide

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Dina Fort

Author Notes

Since 2009, I write about unsolved cases that need renewed media attention. I only do research and leave active investigations to the authorities.

My posts cover homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to unsolved cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme, tone, and research. It is my prerogative to not review a book. Please check the FAQ page for more.

My databases are free to the public. Cases are sorted by the victim’s last name.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the About page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you cannot find the answers there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

Top Posts & Pages

  • Gregory McRoberts: hit-and-run victim
  • Runaway Groom by Ron Peterson Jr
  • Frog Boys: finally an update
  • Deborah Ann Danhaus (Oct 4, 1952 – Aug 1971)  
  • Cold Case Database

Categories

Subscribe to DCC by email

Enter your email address to get new posts notifications in your inbox

Copyright

If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Protected by Copyscape

Copyright © 2026 ·News Pro · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress