9h 30min, oct 30, 1970 y - Vicki Dawn Lynne Miner

Description:

16yo; On October 30 1970, Vicki left her home at 8316 Handel Drive in Buena Park, CA, to walk the few blocks to Buena Park High School at 9:30am. She was apparently late to school. She never arrived, and her parents -- Richard E Miner & LaRee Jackson Miner -- filed a missing persons report the same day.

Nov. 14, either shortly before 1:30pm or at 4pm: Vicki's body was discovered in a weed-covered ditch by two 15yo boys, Carlos Ramet and Chris Willeford, who were hunting birds with BB guns in a vacant field in a small unincorporated area east of Highway 39, north of Artesia St.

The location of her body is also described as being in the isolated county area where Stanton Ave deadends near the Santa Fe Railroad tracks. She was found either in or near the bottom of Coyote Creek in a vacant field, which was often frequented by horseback riders and motorcycle riders. Her body was found lying face-down in the ditch, ~50ft from the Santa Fe Railway mainline, within 0.5mi of her home.

Vicki had suffered a severe blow to the back of the head, causing a massive skull fracture that resulted in her death. Coroner's deputies were unable to determine what type of weapon was used. She had been dead for about two weeks. Because of the condition of the body, examiners were unable to determine whether she had been sexually assaulted.

Vicki was fully clothed in her long sleeve blouse and blue jeans; however, her pants were unbuttoned. She was missing: her brown leather cowhide belt; her dark brown leather strap sandals, which had been repaired with a piece of orange coated electrical wire; and her dark brown suede finish purse with fringe on the outside, which contained her driver's license, social security card, several small plastic toy animals, and a small red Bible. The purse reportedly didn't contain any money.

At the scene, investigators took pictures of car tire tracks in the soft dirt leading away from the ditch where the body was found. Investigators stated that it appeared that Vicki had been killed at some other location before being dumped in thick brush near the creek.

According to contemporary articles, investigators said that they had no suspects nor definite leads in the case. In 2017, Buena Park PD posted Vicki's story on Facebook as a Cold Case Investigation, stating that, "detectives are looking for new evidence, information, and leads to pursue in this case. If you are able to provide any additional details, please contact Det. J. Alfonzo at 714-562-3985 or jalfonzo@bppd.com." On June 1, 2024, someone commented on Vicki's FindAGrave page, stating, "You went to HS with my dad. I've been trying to gather info about your murder. I hope there will be justice for you. I will keep trying. RIP to you and your mother who recently passed last year."

Vicki's parents were Richard E Miner & LaRee Jackson Miner; LaRee passed away in 2023. Vicki had a younger brother named Jerry Dean Miner, who died by suicide in 1977 at the age of 20yo in Fullerton, CA. She also had another brother, Randy L Miner, who seems to still be alive.

OCT 30
LUNAR PHASE: new moon
ZODIAC SIGN: scorpio
DAY OF WEEK: Friday
EVENTS: Oct. 31 = Halloween (1 day later)

NOV 14
LUNAR PHASE: full moon
ZODIAC SIGN: scorpio
DAY OF WEEK: Saturday
EVENTS: Nov. 11 = Veterans Day (3 days earlier)

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