Map

The following map is entirely my own work. As always, please credit me if you use/share this anywhere, and let me know before you do so. I have tried to be as exact as possible when determining where to place a marker based on descriptions provided by case sources, and utilize multiple resources to aid in doing so, including Google Maps' measuring tool, Google Earth and Street View, historical maps from the time period, other mentions of relevant streets in contemporary news articles, hiking trail guides and information, and other online sources.

Open the map in a new tab/full screen view for easier access. Click on a place marker's icon to read a description of the site as it pertains to the case, as well as details that led me to place the marker at that location. On the left side, when a specific marker is not selected, you can also select which "map layers" you would like to view; the map layers I have created are organized by year.

Full write-ups of each case can be found on this blog. I will regularly update the map whenever I post a new write-up. Also on this page, below the embedded map, is a key for the icons I have chosen.

Map last updated: September 24, 2025

CA + Western States Cold Cases, 1960s to early 80s 

Map Key  [which can also be found here]

Colors - Type of Case

DARK RED: Attack 

GRAY: Unidentified, CONFIRMED Victim of Homicide

PURPLE: Unidentified decedent, manner of death unknown/uncertain (including possible homicide)

BERRY: Last Known Location - Disappearance

ORANGE: Last Known Location - Homicide/Suspicious Death, Identified

DARK BLUE: Secondary locations - Disappearance  ***

YELLOW: Secondary locations - Homicide/Suspicious Death ***

DARK GREEN: Location of Body - Homicide/Suspicious Death, Identified

*** Secondary locations are, for example, locations of vehicle or personal items, possible sightings, primary residence, intended destination, etc.

Icons - Confirmed CODs / Primary manner of injury

Rope icon – hanging, strangulation (including both manual and ligature)

Gun icon – gunshot

Fire icon – fire / arson

Blast icon – explosion

Axe icon – axe / hatchet / cleaver / machete (“hacking”)

Hammer icon – blunt force trauma   (with any sort of instrument, including fists, hammer, tire iron, crowbar, club, possible — but unconfirmed — vehicular collision, etc.)

Knife icon – stabbing

Poison (gas mask) icon - Poisoning

Person in waves icon – Drowning

** All icons other than the ones used above are instead used for cases where COD is unknown/uncertain, as well as for disappearances. Those icons represent something pertaining to the case/location. **

Backpacker - Hiking 

Balloons - Event (such as a party, dance, reunion, social club, birthday outing, etc.) 

Beach (umbrella) - Last seen at/going to a beach 

Bus - Last seen taking a bus

Camper (vehicle) - Brought to trailer house 

Car - Found/seen in a vehicle

Car repair - Inoperable vehicle (including due to vehicular collision)

Faucet / plumbing - In/near a man-made water source (drainage pipe, canal, flood control channel, etc.) 

House - Last seen at their residence 

Horse - Last seen horseback riding  

Lookout tower - Near a Forest Service lookout tower, or some sort of park ranger station

Medical cross - Last seen at a hospital / doctors office / medical center  

Mining - Found near a mine 

Missing person (person with question mark) - Disappearance with few details (i.e., only information is victim demographics, date, and city where they were last seen)  

Mountain - Found on mountain or cliff  

Movies (film strip) - Last seen at/going to a movie theater  

Phone - Last contact was made through a phone call 

Plant ("health food") - Found in flower field, orchard, or vineyard 

Restaurant (knife and fork) - Last seen at/leaving/going to a restaurant (including a pizza parlor or fast food place)  

Road Work - Found due to construction, landscaping, road work, maintenance, etc. that was being done in the area at the time.  

Running - Minor individual last seen leaving residence, and/or Runaway

Skull and crossbones - Death with few details / no other icons apply

Trailhead (backpacker with trailhead) - Found by hikers  

Truck - Traveling in a truck / with truck drivers

Viewpoint (binoculars) - Viewpoint / vista point / scenic view 

Walking / Pedestrian - Hitchhiking