On August 6, 1956, 12-year-old Don Baker and his friend, Brenda Jo Howell, went missing while riding their bicycles near the San Gabriel Canyon area in Glendora, California. The two children were last seen along Glendora Mountain Road. A few days after their disappearance, Brenda's bicycle and Don's jacket were found near Morris Dam. Don's bicycle was recovered a month later, but there were no other signs of the children.
Initially, authorities believed the pair might have run away. However, in 1970, convicted child murderer Mack Ray Edwards confessed to killing both Don and Brenda, along with several other children. He claimed to have buried their bodies in a remote location, but despite extensive searches, no remains were ever found. Edwards, who worked as a heavy equipment operator and helped construct various highways in California, is believed to have possibly buried his victims beneath these construction sites. He was never charged in Don and Brenda's cases due to lack of physical evidence, and Edwards later died by suicide on death row in 1971.
Don's case remains unsolved, though foul play is strongly suspected. Investigators reopened the case in 2007, hoping to locate Edwards' victims, but their bodies have yet to be recovered.
Last Seen: Aug 06, 1956
