CA CA - Daniel Walker, 20's, shot while sleeping in van, Needles, 1 Oct 1974

[Betty P]

From the San Bernardino, CA Cold Case web site

http://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2017/07/1974-433_walker_daniel.pdf

Victim: Daniel Walker
Age: Approx 20's
Caucasian, Male
Found: West of Needles, CA
Found murdered while sleeping in his van, which was parked off I-40, 62 miles west of Needles, CA

Suspect #1: White male adult, early 20’s, 5’08, 180lbs., sandy blonde hair with a red bandana tied around his head. Suspect #2: White male adult approximately 20-25years old, 5’05, 150lbs. and dark brown hair.Suspect vehicle: Gold van. Both suspects were possibly en route to Indiana to visit family members.

San Bernardino Sun Telegram Oct 9, 1974

One Good Deed Cost Daniel A Walker His Life

9 Oct 1974, Page 9 - The San Bernardino County Sun at Newspapers.com

9 Oct 1974, Page 9 - The San Bernardino County Sun at Newspapers.com

 

[dalailambo]

The '70s were a mean time. One from the year before, similar road crime.

KS - KS - Hazel, 60, & Steve Avery, 19, Gary Longfellow, 23, Ottawa, 28 March 1973

 

[Betty P]

The '70s were a mean time. One from the year before, similar road crime.

KS - KS - Hazel, 60, & Steve Avery, 19, Gary Longfellow, 23, Ottawa, 28 March 1973

Yes, there were. The case at your link is another really horrible crime. So many killers roaming the highways back then, as now. It seems most likely they're people already involved in or running away from other serious crimes. Killing someone for $80 or so doesn't seem to bother them.

Brutally killing victims of such small burglaries or minor crimes indicates the killers probably already served time and will do anything to avoid going back to prison. JMO.

 

[glamourkitty1922]

I've never heard of this murder! Needles is a small town and is very safe. I live in Needles CA. He was murdered off Needles Hwy.

 

[Penny4YourThoughts]

The '70s were a mean time.QUOTE]
RSBBM - also screwed up formatting by me

True @dalailambo ... Are we in the new 70s now?
Welcome to Websleuths!

 

[Betty P]

I've never heard of this murder! Needles is a small town and is very safe. I live in Needles CA. He was murdered off Needles Hwy.

The article says they were killed on the highway 62 miles west of Needles, so it looks like a remote area not patrolled by local police. Interstate highways have lots of travelers from distant areas, some of whom are up to no good. They usually avoid towns and prey on victims in more isolated spots, during hours when there isn't much traffic.