On Oct. 2, 1979 the remains of an unidentified boy were found in a shallow grave on the side of Glendora Mountain Road. He was either white or Latino, with straight dark brown hair, between 3-8 years old, 3 feet 8 inches tall, and between 35-45 pounds.
Detectives suspect foul play. Craig Harvey, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner, said the body was decomposed but still had some skin. Animals had dug up the grave as well. He died approx. two weeks before he was found. As the body was already in a state of decomposition, the exact cause of death is undetermined. Why the authorities lean towards homicide has not been made public.
In later years, police searched in old coroner’s cases for anything that might give them a DNA profile. There are reports the coroner made a dental report.
The boy was labelled John Doe #347 and was cremated in September 1980. His ashes were buried in a common grave for the county’s unclaimed and unidentified bodies in 1982.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cold Case Unit of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Hat tip to Captain Mike Parker. For more cases about unidentified people, click here.
