jul 13, 1976 - James Mapplebeck Body found

Description:

"Found dead by a passerby Tuesday [7/13/76]. [...] The coroner said Mapplebeck's body showed no signs of violence and that he had been dead about 24 hours" (OCR 7/14/76).

"Found Tuesday [7/13/76]. [...] Autopsy is pending to determine cause of death of James R. Mapplebeck, [...] whose body was discovered by a bicyclist along a dirt road near University Drive and San Joaquin golf course, Irvine. Mapplebeck had been dead about 24 hours, it was estimated. There was no sign of violence" (AB 7/14/76).


COD drugs/OD according to FindAGrave.
Proposed by: me
Reasons proposed: Demographics, time period, SoCal, especially specifically OC; COD drug overdose, found on side of road, body dumped, proximity to confirmed dump sites

Facts that could go either way: Seemingly found fully clothed; type of drugs he ODed on unknown to public; possibility of foul play unknown, may have been accident, etc etc

Reasons against: Wallet with his ID in it still on body ["Identity was established from papers found in the victim's wallet" (OCR 7/14/76)]


NOTE TO SELF: Any record requests should be submitted to Irvine PD and OC Coroner (sources: all NPs except LAT, but especially OCR 7/14/76).


OCR 7/14/76: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-register-james-r-mapplebeck/198619419/
AB 7/14/76: https://www.newspapers.com/article/anaheim-bulletin-james-mapplebeck/198651464/
LAT 7/15/76: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-james-mapplebeck/198651394/

FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13997287/james-raymond-mapplebeck

Added to timeline:

Date: