California DOJ assists in identification
“Identifying the remains of an individual can go a long way in helping investigators to solve a case. It also provides answers for family members of missing relatives. This is very important work, and thanks to the criminalists at California DOJ who work with investigators and genealogy experts, more cold case investigations are being solved.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SANTA ANA – On February 6, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced the identity of a John Doe discovered 25 years ago in a remote area of southeastern Orange County. The identification was made using investigative genetic genealogy.
On August 29, 1998, a research biologist discovered what he believed to be human remains in a remote area of southeastern Orange County. Orange County Sheriff homicide investigators, Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL) and Coroner personnel responded to the scene, but did not initially discover any indication the decedent had been the victim of a homicide.
The following day, a more extensive search of the area was conducted, but no additional evidence was located. It was estimated the recovered remains were that of a Caucasian or Latino man, over 40 years old, and approximately 5’6” to 5’8” tall.
In September 1998, an additional search of the remote area where the remains were initially discovered was conducted. The search resulted in what was believed to be a shallow grave, additional human remains and additional clothing. Over the next several months, investigators attempted to identify the man, but were unsuccessful.
In January 2023, Orange County Sheriff investigators, working in partnership with representatives from the California Department of Justice Laboratory in Richmond, submitted forensic samples related to John Doe to Othram Laboratories in Texas. The laboratory developed a genetic profile for investigators to conduct Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy to attempt to identify the decedent.
In February 2023, Othram Laboratories provided investigators with a suitable genetic profile for John Doe and, using publicly accessible genetic databases available for law enforcement, investigators began their genealogical research in hopes of identifying the man.
In November 2023, investigators tentatively identified the man as Donald Raymond Loar, 54, who had been reported missing to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in February 1998. Loar was last seen in the city of Bellflower, and he reportedly was wearing clothing similar to the clothing recovered near the remains of John Doe.
In December 2023, Orange County Sheriff investigators met with representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to learn additional details regarding Loar’s disappearance.
Orange County Sheriff investigators then met with Loar’s family and obtained a sample of their DNA for comparison purposes.
On Jan. 24, 2024, the California Department of Justice confirmed the remains recovered in August 1998 were Donald Raymond Loar. Investigators are now focusing their attention on discovering the circumstances surrounding his death.
