Cold Cases
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office values any information that may assist us in solving a crime and bring justice for victims.
There are two ways to provide information directly to the Sheriff’s Office:
- Call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at: (805) 383-8704.
- Email the Ventura County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at: coldcase@ventura.org.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
Cold Case Homicides
88-27007: Richard Smith
On 04/16/1988, deputies responded to 1000 block of Box Canyon Road, in the unincorporated area of Simi Valley after a male subject was found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The decedent was identified as Richard Smith who was living in a trailer near the location where he was found deceased. This area was remote and not many people knew where Richard lived.
If you have any information regarding Richard’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
85-35031: Tyra Garcia
On May 27, 1985, Tyra Garcia was reported to the Ventura Police Department as a runaway. Tyra was last seen getting into a car with two male subjects at the 7-11 on Bristol Road in Ventura. On June 7th, 1985, Tyra was found deceased in an embankment in the area of Broadway Road and Stockton Road in Moorpark.
If you have any information regarding Tyra’s death, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
13-20103: Moises Garcia
On September 7, 2013, Camarillo patrol deputies responded to a call of a dead body in an agricultural field in the 4000 block of Price Road in Somis. The victim, who was identified as 22 year old Moises Garcia, had been beaten and shot. Moises was a resident of Oxnard and investigators believe the suspect(s) took Moises to the remote field with the intentions of murdering him.
If you have any information regarding Moises’ murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
08-7718: Jorge Zavala
On March 11, 2008, deputies responded to a residence in the 1600 block of Calle Diamonte in Newbury Park, in reference to a call of a landlord/tenant problem. The landlord requested that deputies enter the residence to check on the welfare of the tenant, since he had not been seen for several days. Deputies entered the residence and found a male subject deceased in one of the bedrooms. The victim had been badly beaten and stabbed. The victim was identified as 38 year old Jorge Zavala, who was the tenant of the residence.
If you have any information regarding Jorge’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
08-18816: Jose Castro
On July 13, 2008, Camarillo deputies responded to a party disturbance call in the 3600 block of Appian Way in Camarillo. Deputies discovered 20 year old Jose Castro lying in the street across from the party location. Jose had been stabbed several times and subsequently died. Deputies determined that shortly after arriving, Jose and his friends were attacked by several subjects. Investigators suspect this crime may have been gang related.
If you have any information regarding Jose’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
08-27593: Mike Issa Grair
On October 10, 2008, deputies responded to 4500 block of Las Posas Road in Camarillo, in reference to a call of a male subject not breathing. When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered 64 year old Mike Grair deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Grair was found inside his vehicle by the reporting party, who then called 911. Mr. Grair was a resident of Burbank, who owned several commercial retail properties in Camarillo.
If you have any information regarding Mike’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
06-16795: Jesse Gutierrez and Alfred Romero
On June 25, 2006, deputies responded to the 11000 block of Violeta Street in the community of Saticoy, in reference to a call of shots fired. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Jesse Gutierrez (14 years of age) and Alfred Romero (18 years of age), suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both Jesse and Alfred were transported to the hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries. Investigators suspect this crime may have been gang related.
If you have any information regarding Jesse and Alfred’s murders, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
04-7117: Randy Lynn Garner
On March 6, 2004, two citizens were taking photographs in the area of Lockwood Valley Road in Los Padres National Forest, when they discovered a deceased male subject over the side of the embankment. The decedent was later identified as 32 year old Randy Lynn Garner, who was originally from San Luis Obispo County (California), but also resided in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. An autopsy determined that Randy’s cause of death was strangulation.
If you have any information regarding Randy’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
03-625: Jordan Legrand
On January 6, 2003, deputies responded to the 1500 block of Pederson Road in Thousand Oaks, in reference to a call of a gunshot victim. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found 23 year old Jordan Legrand suffering from a gunshot wound. Jordan was transported to the Los Robles Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
If you have any information regarding Jordan’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
00-20868: Elizabeth Salas
On March 13, 2000, deputies responded to Rice Avenue, between Channel Islands Boulevard and Wooley Road in Oxnard, in reference a dead body found in an irrigation ditch near the roadway. The victim was later identified as Elizabeth Salas. Elizabeth had been badly beaten and strangled, and her body was disposed of in the irrigation ditch. Investigators learned that Elizabeth was staying at the City Center Motel in Oxnard prior to her death.
If you have any information regarding Elizabeth’s death, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org
98-93864: Melinda Brown
On November 15, 1998, 18 year old Melinda Browns failed to return home after spending the evening with friends in Simi Valley. On November 27, 1998, Brown’s body was found by hunters in a partially buried shallow grave in Gorman, CA. An autopsy determined that Brown died from a gunshot wound.
If you have any information regarding Melinda’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
97-80129: Gabriela Maldonado
On October 29, 1997, a bicyclist riding on Victoria Avenue, south of the Santa Clara River bridge, saw a deceased female lying over the embankment. The preliminary examination of the body by investigators indicated that the female victim had been shot. The victim was later identified as 15 year old Gabriela Maldonado, a resident of Oxnard and who at the time of her murder was 8 months pregnant.
If you have any information regarding Gabriela’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
89-66704: Florence Hackney
On September 9, 1989, deputies responded to a residence in the 900 block of Central Avenue in Fillmore, in reference to a call of an unconscious subject, who was identified as 89 year old Florence Hackney. Emergency personnel performed life-saving efforts on Florence and she was transported to the hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. An autopsy later revealed that Florence died from strangulation.
If you have any information regarding Florence’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
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88-8771: Melinda Marie Pape
On January 30, 1988, Melinda Pape, who was 28 years of age at the time, was driving her vehicle on Highway 23, approaching the 101 Freeway, when an unknown suspect fired a shot at Melinda’s vehicle, striking her in the head. It appeared Melinda lost control of her vehicle and it came to a stop at the off-ramp. Melinda was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Melinda was a Newbury Park resident and an employee at Teledyne in Thousand Oaks.
If you have any information regarding Melinda’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
86-735522: Margaret Reimann
On November 2, 1988, 73 year old Margaret Reimann was found deceased inside the garage of her residence, located in the 4400 block of Central Avenue in Camarillo. The investigation revealed that Margaret had been beaten and stabbed to death.
If you have any information regarding Margaret’s murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
84-77205: Delores Ruggiero
On December 12, 1984, Sheriff’s patrol units were dispatched to the area of Grimes Canyon, south of Fillmore. When deputies arrived, they found a dead body that was later identified as 54 year old Delores Ruggiero. Delores had visible trauma to her head and signs of strangulation. Delores lived in the Northridge suburb of Los Angeles. Detectives believe Delores was murdered at her residence and her body was later discarded in Grimes Canyon.
If you have any information regarding Delores’ murder, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
Missing Persons
79-7911: Debra Kidwell, Joshua and Jackson Kidwell
On May 9, 1979, Debra Kidwell was reported missing by her husband. Also reported missing were their 3 year old twin boys, Joshua and Jackson Kidwell. The Kidwell’s were living in Newbury Park when Debra and the twins were reported missing. Debra’s husband stated that on May 4, 1979, he dropped off Debra and the twins in LAX. The husband reported that Debra and the twins were flying to Pennsylvania to visit Debra’s mother who was sick. A few days later, Debra’s husband called Debra’s parents in Pennsylvania, who stated that had not been seen or heard from. Debra and the twins have not been seen or heard from since.
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Debra and her two children, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
11-19280: James Todd
On August 25, 2011, James Todd was reported missing by his mother. James was at the time employed as a paramedic with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. James’ mother reported that about a week prior, James had told her he was planning a weekend trip to San Diego. James had not been seen or heard from since.
If you have any information regarding James’ disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
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08-3144: Alyssa Marie Burns
On February 3, 2008, Alyssa Burns was reported missing by her boyfriend. The boyfriend reported that Alyssa had called him and told him she was tired of all her misfortunes and wanted to end her life. Alyssa told her boyfriend that she took a taxi cab to a beach near a rock. The beaches near and around the Sycamore Cove area were searched with negative results. Alyssa’s boyfriend was unable to provide a date of birth for Alyssa, or any other pertinent personal information for her. To this date, investigators have not been able to confirm Alyssa’s true identity or identify any of her family.
If you have any information regarding Alyssa’ disappearance, her identity, or her family information, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
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03-7107: Marvin Blake Shahan
On March 10, 2003, Marvin Shahan was reported missing by his sister. The sister reported she last spoke to Marvin sometime in December 1969 or January 1970, when they lived in El Cajon, California. Marvin had told his sister that he was attempting to get a job as a crew member on a boat in Ventura or Santa Barbara Harbor. Marvin had not been seen or heard from since. The sister reported that her family had contacted the local police back in 1969 or 1970, but was not sure if a missing person report was filed.
If you have any information regarding Marvin’s disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
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01-97512: James Walker
November 3, 2001, James Walker was reported missing by his wife. The wife reported she and James were driving on Highway 33 near the area of Casitas Springs and Foster Park, when James stopped the vehicle and retrieved a firearm and some paperwork from the glovebox. James then got out of the vehicle and walked away into the woods. James’ wife stated James had been depressed since losing his job. Deputies searched that area, but were unable to locate James. It was reported that James and his family were originally from the town of Blackshear, Georgia, and had recently moved to California to look for employment.
If you have any information regarding James’ disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
96-5771: Kathy Silveri
On January 16, 1996, Kathy Silveri was reported missing by her ex-husband. Kathy was last seen on January 12, 1996, at the end of her workday by co-workers at Las Islas Medical Center in Oxnard. Kathy was also seen that same day by a neighbor, who Kathy told she had rekindled an old relationship and had a date that evening to go sailing. Kathy has not been seen or heard from since.
If you have any information regarding Kathy’s disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
89-10797: Beverly Gail Sabo
On February 6, 1989, Beverly Sabo was reported missing by her husband. The husband reported last seeing Beverly the day prior (February 5), after she left the residence to do some shopping and she never returned home. On March 23, Beverly’s vehicle was located at the Los Angeles International Airport, but Beverly was nowhere to be found. Beverly had two sons and there appears to be no motive for her disappearance.
If you have any information regarding Beverly’s disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
82-23507: Peter Laan
On November 29, 1982, Peter Laan’s brother reported him missing after not returning from a hiking trip. Peter had been dropped off by his father at the top of Toland Road in Santa Paula, and was supposed to return from his hike later in the evening. Peter never returned from his hiking trip. An extensive multi-day search was conducted by Ventura County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, but Peter was never located. Peter has not been seen or heard from since.
If you have any information regarding Peter’s disappearance, no matter how insignificant, please contact the Ventura County Cold Case Unit at (805) 383-8704 or coldcase@ventura.org.
