6h 45min, aug 13, 1974 y - Jessie DeLaughter Jr Body found

Description:

"The body [...] was found in a sleeping bag on the shoulder of Lampson Avenue near Tulip Street in Seal Beach early today. Sgt William Lewis said a Seal Beach city mechanic, Ken Heggstrom, found the body at 6:45am. Apparently the man [...] had died at another location. There were no marks of violence and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death" (LBPT 8/13/74).

"The body was discovered in a sleeping bag beside Lampson Ave near Tulip St Tuesday morning [8/13/74]. The body [...] apparently had been left there after his death. [...] Police said that the body had been beside the road for approximately three hours before it was discovered at 6:45am. The cause and time of death are being investigated" (LAT 8/14/74).

"The body [...] was found Tuesday morning [8/13/74] in a sleeping bag between Tulip and Rose streets, Seal Beach. The man had been dead for more than three days, and a drug overdose is suspected, with tests under way. The body was clad in blue lounge-type trousers. The victim, with moderately long brown hair, was discovered by a Seal Beach city employee. [...] Officials said it appeared [he] had died somewhere else and been dumped" (AB 8/14/74).

"The coroner said Jesse B. DeLaughter Jr was found collapsed Aug. 13 [1974] off Lampson Avenue between Heather and Tulip streets in Seal Beach. He died of acute alcoholism" (AB 9/10/74).


Proposed by: me
Reasons proposed: Demographics, time frame, SoCal; found on side of road, body dumped some time after death, COD acute alcohol intoxication, Orange County, military, found days after death; found 0.5-0.8mi as the crow flies from where confirmed victim Malcolm Little was last seen alive

Reasons against: No mentions in papers after identification, little information available, other possible manners of death (i.e., accidental); "There were no marks of violence" (LBPT 8/13/74).

Facts that could go either way: Possibility of foul play unknown, though may have been attributed as accidental like some other Kraft victims' deaths (Cordova, Schlicht, etc) originally were; Found in sleeping bag, though other confirmed victims were found wrapped in sheets, inside trash bags, etc.; full state of dress unknown


NOTE TO SELF: I have requested a copy of the autopsy report, etc. from the OC Coroner's Office through email on the morning of July 2, 2026.
Other involved agencies I should possibly submit requests to: Seal Beach PD


LBPT 8/13/74: https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-telegram-jessie-blair-delaughter-j/197564099/
AB 8/14/74: https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-jesse-delaughter-gary/199018154/
LAT 8/14/74: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-jessie-blair-delau/197564647/
AB 9/10/74: https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-jesse-b-delaughter-jr/197564668/
Headstone application: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28131552/jessie-blair-delaughter#view-photo=342424930

FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28131552/jessie-blair-delaughter

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