20 h, nov 2, 1979 y - Ralph Davis Body found

Description:

"Found late Friday [11/2/79]" (SBCS 11/4/79).

"Discovery of the body was made at 8pm Friday, Nov. 2 [1979]. [...] 'We have no idea how long the body was there before being discovered.' [...] 'Cause and time of death are unknown at this time'" (LEVT 11/7/79).


COD unknown.
Proposed by: Contemporary newspapers
Reasons proposed: Demographics, time period, SoCal; found on side of major highway, partially clothed, proximity to confirmed dump site

Reasons against: County (Riverside); Despite being proposed at the time, there were no later newspaper mentions/updates regarding whether Kraft is/was still considered a suspect, + not included in more recent/official lists; COD unknown (therefore possibly doesn't fit Kraft's MO (i.e., may have been shot))


NOTE TO SELF: Any record requests should be submitted to Riverside CSO (SBCS 11/4/79); RivCo Coroner (LEVT 11/7/79)
"Riverside and Orange County deputy sheriffs are investigating" (LEVT 11/7/79)
"A cooperative investigation between Riverside and Orange County law enforcement continues. [...] The location where the body was found is near the Orange County line" (PP 11/21/79)

Mentioned authorities: Riverside County Deputy Coroner Dan Cupido (LEVT 11/7/79)
Sgt. Nick Gnatek (LEVT 11/7/79)

** Still unsolved as of at least Aug. 2009 (according to The Californian 8/1/09 (printed) **


SBCS 11/4/79: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-ralph-duan/137566771/
LEVT 11/7/79: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-valley-tribune-ralph-dwain-davis-197/137566540/
PP 11/21/79: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-perris-progress-ralph-duane-davis/197431597/
NCT 12/7/79: https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-county-times-walter-tanner-other/178931406/
LAT 12/10/79: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-joseph-dalydonny/136097420/
SDUT 12/23/79: https://cacoldcases.blogspot.com/p/sdut-on-freeway-killings-dec-23-1979.html

SBCS 7/31/80 pt 1: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-pt-1/199001300/
SBCS 7/31/80 pt 2: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-bernardino-county-sun-pt-2/198999334/

1980 Freeway 38 List: https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-pilot-38-may-be-freeway-victims/136303045/
WS: https://websleuths.com/threads/ca-riverside-county-ralph-duane-davis-20-found-on-side-of-ortega-highway-nov-1979.699842/
FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235044990/ralph-duane-davis

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