15h 30min, feb 2, 1981 y - Thomas Cooney Body found

Description:

"The skeletal remains of a human body were found [...] Monday afternoon [2/2/81]. [...] The report was made about 3:30pm by county residents who wanted to remain anonymous" (CS 2/3/81).

Thomas was an Army vet and recipient of the Bronze Star due to his valorous actions during the Vietnam War. He was last seen alive by family sometime in the late 1970s. If alive when his remains were found, he would have been 30 years old.

COD unknown. Identified in 2025. According to a contemporary newspaper clipping, "the remains were almost 2 years old" at the time of discovery.

Proposed by: me
Reasons proposed: Demographics, time frame, SoCal, military, proximity to highway
Reasons against: COD unknown, possibility of foul play unknown, distance from epicenter of dump sites

CS 2/3/81: https://www.newspapers.com/article/camarillo-star-thomas-aquinas-cooney/197914884/
Redgrave Research: https://www.redgraveresearch.com/index.php/cases/identified-thomas-aquinas-cooney-highway-33-john-doe-1981
VCSO: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14nQvyHsdAd/
DNASolves: https://dnasolves.com/articles/thomas-aquinas-cooney-ventura-county-1981/
NamUs (copied & pasted to WS): https://websleuths.com/threads/ca-ojai-whtmale-up60166-20-29-on-highway-33-glasses-and-clothing-feb81.631928/post-19020560?ref=JSCoB

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