RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Questions continue about a man found shot dead 35 years ago in a ravine near Beaumont, including who his family is.
In March 1989, the man’s body was discovered off Highway 79, south of Interstate 10, in the Beaumont area. He had a single gunshot wound to his chest and investigators ruled his death a homicide.
It wasn’t until recently, however, that his identity was confirmed. The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Unit worked with the Mexican Consulate, and their efforts uncovered that the man was Jorge Lopez-Serrano.
Even with an ID, little is known about Lopez-Serrano, including his age. When his body was found, he was clad in a Cacharel-brand green and tan short-sleeve shirt and DeeCee-brand white work jeans. A grainy photo shows he had dark hair and eyes.
According to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Lopez-Serrano was a Mexican National who had been arrested several times in the late 1980s, including once by U.S. Border Patrol agents in San Diego on suspicion of smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States. Los Angeles police officers also arrested him on suspicion of vehicle theft.
Lopez-Serrano used different names and birth dates, but key information came from Mexican officials who confirmed he had a wife and children in La Paz. The family’s whereabouts, however, are unknown today.
To bring closure to the case, Cold Case Unit investigators are appealing to the public for any information that leads to the identity of Lopez-Serrano’s family members.
“This includes details about missing persons or any other relevant information that could assist in the investigation,” including tips about the slaying, according to the DA’s office.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Jason Corey of the Regional Cold Case Unit: [email protected]