CA CA - Barstow, WhtMale, 20-30, UP2539, homicide, 1 of 3 bodies fnd in desert grave, poss. name "Jonathon Smith-Saavedra" or "Enrique Saavedra", Dec '93

[citizen_sleuth]

NamUs #UP2539

Demographics
Sex: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White / Caucasian (news reports suggest he is more likely Hispanic/Latino, possibly from Mexico)
Estimated Age Group: Adult - Pre 30
Estimated Age Range (Years): 20-30
Estimated Year of Death: 1993
Estimated PMI: Days
Height: 5'9" (69 inches), Estimated
Weight: 209 lbs, Measured
Possible Names: Possible names of Jonathon Smith, Jonathon Smith-Saavedra, or Enrique Saavedra

Circumstances
Type: Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found: December 31, 1993
NamUs Case Created: August 25, 2008
ME/C QA Reviewed: N/A
Location Found: Barstow, California 92371
County: San Bernardino County
Circumstances of Recovery: On December 31, 1993, a group of people target shooting in the desert discovered a foot sticking out of the ground about two miles west of I-45 and north of Sidewinder Road. Upon responding, officers found the partially decomposed bodies of three men lying next to each other in a shallow grave. There were no signs of a struggle at the gravesite and no indication the victims were robbed.

By the time officers arrived on scene, it was too dark to investigate, so they returned the following morning to remove the bodies. Authorities believed the bodies were in the buried for less than two weeks. Fingerprints were taken from each of the bodies and entered into the state's computerized database, but there were no matches.

In February 1994, authorities identified two out of the three victims as Jagdish G. Gurbani, 46, and Hector Rodriguez Escalera, 25. Gurbani and Escalera lived together at a house in Colton, CA before they were killed.

Authorities believe that the unidentified victim may have worked as a pushcart ice cream salesman in North Central San Bernardino in the spring and early summer of 1993. He may have been known by the name of Jonathon Smith-Saavedra or Enrique Saavedra and is possibly a Mexican national.

Identity may be established with fingerprints, dental X-rays and DNA (refer to CODIS #BK-08-000851). Possible comparison with "smiling photographs" (showing teeth).
Inventory of Remains: All parts recovered
Condition of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction

Physical Description
Hair Color: Brown
Head Hair Description: "Very short" brown-black hair
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinctive Physical Features: No known information

Clothing and Accessories
- Brown leather "Bomber" jacket ("De Pelle Moda," size XL), white tank-top, blue (denim) bib overalls ("Dickies" brand, size 44), black belt, white athletic shoes ("All Star"), white socks. (On the Body)

News Coverage
Steven Church, "3 bodies found in grave," San Bernardino County Sun, 2 January 1994, B2.

"3 bodies found in desert," Press Democrat [Santa Rosa, CA], 4 January 1994, B3.

"Bodies still mystery," San Bernardino County Sun, 7 January 1994, B2.

"Two of three bodies found in desert identified," Desert Dispatch [Barstow, CA], 5 February 1994, A3.

 

[citizen_sleuth]

I will post a write up about the UID in the Spanish-language missing persons groups I’m in to see if anyone might be able to identify him.

 

[AguaFlorida2001]

Authorities believe that the unidentified victim may have worked as a pushcart ice cream salesman in North Central San Bernardino in the spring and early summer of 1993. He may have been known by the name of Jonathon Smith-Saavedra or Enrique Saavedra and is possibly a Mexican national.

So he may have been a paletero? That makes me even sadder that something like this happened . Paleteros bring so much joy to our communities, especially the children. That just makes this so much sadder to me for some reason.