On November 23, 1976, hikers in the elevated desert area approximately 6 miles east of Katherine’s Landing located human remains in a shallow grave. The victim was determined to be a male adult, 5’08, 140-150 pounds, 30-35 years of age. During the original investigation, it was determined the victim was shot in the head at close range.

Fingerprints were obtained during the autopsy but unfortunately, detectives were unable to identify the victim. He remained unidentified and there were no investigative leads. A composite of the victim’s probable likeness was developed by the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff.

In October 2023, investigators with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began a review of the case. The digital images of the victim’s fingerprints obtained in 1976 were compared to all available national fingerprint records, which was not an available resource at the time of the initial investigation.

The victim was positively identified as Luis Alonso Paredes, originally from El Salvador. SIU Detectives learned of the possibility that Paredes may have been living or working in the Las Vegas area at the time of his death. Investigators also learned of possible employment with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy in the San Francisco Bay area nearly a decade before his homicide.  Investigators have been unable to locate any relatives of Paredes.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or information that would assist investigators in locating Paredes’ family is encouraged to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 928-753-0753 ext. 4288, and reference DR# 76-5053.