CA CA - Baxter, WhtMale, 40-70, UP55126, beaten to point of death then burned alive, long-term abuse, US Army blanket, hospital gown, 3 Oct 1972

[kforbes862]

Amazing, I didn't know he was already in active research

 

[iamshadow21]

Feb. 12, 2026 rbbm.

Placer County seeks help in 1972 cold case homicide

Placer County investigators seek public help identifying a man burned alive in 1972, possibly Grover Benjamin Hughes, as genetic genealogy narrows leads.

www.abc10.com

View attachment 644211
''Investigators say the unidentified man may now be closer to being identified as Grover Benjamin Hughes, born July 21, 1894, in Des Moines, Iowa. Hughes is known to have spent time in the San Francisco Bay Area before the 1960s.''
''The potential identification follows a two-year investigative genetic genealogy effort conducted by Ramapo College, with assistance from the California Department of Justice's Richmond Laboratory.
However, due to the distant genetic relationships and lack of close living descendants, the identity has not yet been confirmed through the DOJ Missing and Unidentified Persons Program.''

''The Cold Case team is requesting any information that could help confirm the man’s identity or shed light on the circumstances of his death. Specifically, investigators are seeking:

• Photographs or information about Grover Benjamin Hughes
• Knowledge of hospital or medical-facility bedding from Placer County in 1972, matching items shown in an attached image
• Information about any patients who went missing from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or convalescent homes around October 3, 1972
• Anyone who recalls Hughes or circumstances related to his disappearance or death

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at 530-889-7853 or submit tips via email at [email protected].''

It would mean he was way older than estimated, if it is Grover. Rather than 35-45, he'd be closer to eighty.

MOO

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Based on some quick Ancestry records searching, he has one grandchild who appears to be still alive. Given what they say in the article, maybe she's since passed away. I'm not seeing any records of him after the 1940s, though, which would track with being in a long-term care facility. Maybe he was injured during World War Two?
Edit: Never mind, she passed away in 2018.

 

[dotr]

Placer County Sheriff Seeks Public's Help in 1972 Cold Case Homicide of Elderly Man Found Burned Alive Near Baxter

Placer County Sheriff Seeks Public's Help in 1972 Cold Case Homicide of Elderly Man Found Burned Alive Near Baxter

goldrushcam.com

February 15, 2026
''Investigators are seeking assistance from the public regarding:

• Any information about Grover Benjamin Hughes, including photographs
• Knowledge of hospital or medical-facility bedding from Placer County in 1972 that matches the items shown in the attached image
• Information about any patients who may have gone missing from a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or convalescent home around October 3, 1972
• Individuals who may recall Hughes or circumstances consistent with his disappearance or death
• Any information, even if it may seem minor, that could help confirm the decedent’s identity and determine the circumstances surrounding his death

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at 530-889-7853 or submit tips via email at: [email protected].''