Decades-Old Mystery Solved: Hiker-Discovered 47-Year-Old Remains Finally Identified

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has identified remains found 47 years ago near Lake Mohave, straddling the Arizona-Nevada border, as those of Luis Alonso Paredes. Paredes, originally from El Salvador, is believed to have been residing or working in the Las Vegas area around the time of his death.

The discovery of the remains occurred on November 23, 1976, in a desert region in northwestern Arizona, east of Lake Mohave. Initial autopsy reports suggested the victim, likely in his early to mid-30s, had suffered a close-range gunshot wound to the head. Despite collecting fingerprints, the case became inactive, leaving the victim unidentified for nearly half a century.

In October, the sheriff’s office reinitiated its investigation, utilizing advancements in fingerprint analysis against existing records. This effort led to the identification of Paredes.

The investigation has yet to locate any of Paredes’ relatives. Records indicate he may have been associated with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Navy in the San Francisco area approximately ten years prior to his death.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is requesting public assistance in gathering information about the case or in locating Paredes’ relatives.