Donald was last seen in the city of Bellflower in February 1998 and was reported missing to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department by his girlfriend.
His girlfriend told deputies Donald was not working and would not normally be gone too long without checking in with her. It was believed Donald was with several acquaintances when he was last seen, but investigator learned they weren’t reportedly the last people to see him.
On Aug. 29, 1998, a research biologist for the Rancho Mission Viejo Company discovered what he believed to be human remains in a remote area of southeastern Orange County. OC Sheriff personnel responded to the scene but at first, it did not appear to be a homicide.
Homicide investigators, Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL) personnel and Coroner personnel returned to the scene the following day to search the area further, but did not find any additional evidence.
The area was searched again in September 1998 and a shallow grave was found with additional clothing. OC Sheriff Homicide investigators worked to identify the man but were unsuccessful.
Twenty-five years later, the Sheriff’s Department, working with a California Department of Justice Laboratory in Richmond, California submitted DNA evidence collected at the scene to Othram Laboratories in Texas.
Othram developed a genetic profile that allowed OC Sheriff Homicide investigators to apply investigative genetic genealogy to identify the man.
He was tentatively identified in November 2023 as Donald Raymond Loar, and the results were confirmed with familial DNA in January 2023.
Investigators are now focusing their attention on discovering the circumstances surrounding his death.
