Human remains discovered in a remote area of Orange County 25 years ago were recently identified as those of a man who went missing at the time in Los Angeles County.
Donald Raymond Loar, 54, was last seen in the town of Bellflower and reported missing in February 1998, investigators announced Tuesday in a news release after his remains were positively identified.
But it's unclear how he ended up in southeast Orange County that same year. A research biologist with the Rancho Mission Viejo Company ranch and habitat preserve found human remains on August 29, 1998, and notified the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The remains of Donald Raymond Loar, 54, were positively identified on January 24, 2024 by investigators.
((Orange County Sheriff's Department))
Investigators who arrived at the scene did not immediately discover any signs of foul play, according to the news release. The next day, they returned to the site to conduct a broader search of the area, but did not find any additional evidence.
Outside sources called by coroner and homicide investigators determined the remains belonged to a Caucasian or Latino man, over 40 years old, who stood between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 8 inches, according to the Sheriff's Department.
In September of the same year, researchers found what they believed was a shallow grave near where human remains were first found. In the same area they found more human remains and clothing. Homicide investigators gathered evidence but were unable to identify the man, according to the news release.
The case did not make any progress for decades.
In January 2023, Orange County sheriff's investigators, working with the California Department of Justice Laboratory in Richmond, California, sent forensic samples to Othram Laboratories in Texas.
The following month, Othram provided a genetic profile to help identify the man. Investigators said they began using publicly accessible genetic databases available to law enforcement as part of their case.
Several months later, investigators found a tentative match in Loar, who was last seen wearing clothing similar to pieces found near John Doe's remains in 1998, Orange County sheriff's officials said.
By December 2023, Orange County investigators had met with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to learn more about Loar's case and her disappearance. Investigators also met with her family and took a sample of her DNA.
The California Department of Justice confirmed on Jan. 24 that John Doe was Loar, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Investigators are looking into what caused his death.
Anyone with information can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or contact them at crimestoppers.org.
