Personal Injury Law
title: Personal Injury Bloggers React to 43-Year-Old Cold Case Homicide Identification meta description: Personal injury bloggers share their reaction to the recent identification of a 43-year-old cold case homicide victim in Orange County. They express sympathy for the victim’s family and call for anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation. tag: personal injury suggested featured image: Cold case homicide identification The recent identification of a 43-year-old cold case homicide victim in Orange County has left personal injury bloggers shocked and saddened. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Lonnie Raymond Thomas, whose remains were discovered in 1980 but remained unidentified until May 2023. As bloggers with a focus on personal injury, we feel it is important to address the impact of unresolved cases on families and communities, and we urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigation. The skeletal remains of a Black male, estimated to be between the ages of 17 to 24, were found adjacent to an oil well in an unincorporated area of Tonner Canyon near the city of Brea in May 1980. Despite efforts over the years, no identification was made, and the case went cold. However, in December 2021, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to conduct a forensic investigative genetic genealogy analysis of the victim. In May 2022, the remains of the young man, later identified as Lonnie Raymond Thomas, were exhumed to collect DNA samples. A DNA profile was developed from the skeletal remains by a private forensic biotechnology company in June and submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Genealogy Team. After months of work, investigators were able to contact a woman in Compton believed to be Thomas’s mother, ultimately confirming his identity. Our hearts go out to Lonnie Raymond Thomas’s family, who have had to endure 43 long years of uncertainty and unanswered questions. The identification of a loved one who went missing or was involved in a tragic incident is a painful and emotional journey that can have a lasting impact on a family’s well-being. We hope that this newfound knowledge brings them some measure of closure and peace. As personal injury bloggers, we understand the importance of justice not only for victims and their families but also for the community as a whole. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is now shifting its focus to investigating the homicide case. It is crucial for anyone with information related to this case to come forward and assist law enforcement in their efforts to bring the responsible parties to justice. No piece of information is too small, and even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this cold case. Unresolved homicide cases can have a lasting impact on communities, creating fear and a sense of unease. By working together and sharing any relevant information, we can help create a safer environment for everyone. If you have any information related to this case, please do not hesitate to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or submit a tip online at O.C. Crime Stoppers. Your assistance may be invaluable in helping bring closure to Lonnie Raymond Thomas’s family and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. In cases like these, it is crucial to remember that support networks and resources are available to those affected. If you or someone you know has been impacted by a similar tragedy, seeking assistance from professionals who can provide guidance, counseling, and support is essential for healing and moving forward. Let us stand united in demanding justice for Lonnie Raymond Thomas and others who have been the victims of unsolved crimes. Together, we can create a safer future and ensure that no family has to endure the pain of a cold case for decades.
November 8, 2023
