The Orange County Sheriff’s Department in California has identified a murder victim whose body was found over 40 years ago. Lonnie Raymond Thomas, a black man between the ages of 17-24, was shot in the face and his case went cold until DNA analysis led to his positive identification. FOX 11 reported
BREA, Calif. – A murder victim whose body was discovered over four decades ago in Northern Orange County has recently been identified, as announced by officials on Tuesday.
The man found in May 1980 near an oil well in the unincorporated area of Tonner Canyon near Brea has been identified as Lonnie Raymond Thomas, according to authorities.
At the time, the victim was only described as a Black male aged between 17 and 24, who had suffered a gunshot wound to his face. Despite ongoing efforts to identify him, the case eventually went cold.
In 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reached out to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, urging them to use DNA analysis to aid in identifying the body. In May 2022, Thomas’ remains were exhumed to collect DNA samples for investigation.
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Following this, Othram, a private forensic biotechnology company, developed a DNA profile and submitted it to the FBI. The FBI then located a potential match for Thomas’ biological mother, who was residing in Compton. By comparing the DNA samples, the FBI was able to definitively identify the body of Lonnie Raymond Thomas after a span of 43 years.
Authorities have disclosed that Thomas was 20 years old at the time of his death and will be laid to rest again later this week.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has reopened the investigation into Thomas’ murder. Individuals with any information related to this case are urged to contact the department at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or visit crimestoppers.org.
BREA, Calif.: Murder Victim Found in Orange County 40 Years Ago Finally Identified
BREA, Calif. – Lonnie Raymond Thomas, a murder victim whose body was discovered in Northern Orange County over four decades ago, has recently been identified, according to an official announcement made on Tuesday.
The unidentified man’s body was found in May 1980 near an oil well in the unincorporated area of Tonner Canyon, close to Brea. At the time, the victim, a Black male aged between 17 and 24, had suffered a gunshot wound to his face. Despite extensive efforts to establish his identity, the case remained unsolved.
In 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, requesting a DNA analysis to help identify the body. In response, Thomas’ remains were exhumed in May 2022 to collect DNA samples for further investigation.
Othram, a private forensic biotech company, subsequently developed a DNA profile and handed it over to the FBI. Through their investigation, the FBI located a potential match for Thomas’ biological mother, who was residing in Compton. By comparing DNA samples, the FBI was able to definitively identify the body as that of Lonnie Raymond Thomas, bringing closure to a case that had remained unresolved for 43 years.
Lonnie Raymond Thomas was 20 years old at the time of his death and will be given a proper burial later this week.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has reopened the investigation into Thomas’ murder and is seeking any information related to the case. Individuals who may have information are encouraged to contact the department at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or visit crimestoppers.org.
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