Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4625) and 6 other sources
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 6, 1956

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP3777
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP3777 • Found Jun 26, 1992
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same county
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Glendora, California - unidentified case UP3981
John Doe — Glendora, California
UP3981 • Found May 22, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1"–5'5" vs 5'1"
Weight 56%130–140 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4252 • Found Mar 15, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Huntington Park, California - unidentified case UP12866
John Doe — Huntington Park, California
UP12866 • Found Feb 26, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 58 years after last seen
Height 100%4'9"–5'1" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%90–105 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Tujunga, California
UP3112 • Found Jun 13, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–26 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same county
TimingFound 48 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4113 • Found Sep 9, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 31 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 5'1"
Weight 45%134 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4228 • Found Jul 7, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–28 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 72%124 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — California
UP11421 • Found Jun 16, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 35 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 70%125 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — California
UP4008 • Found Dec 19, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 44–54 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same county
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Fontana, California - unidentified case UP2570
John Doe — Fontana, California
UP2570 • Found Jul 19, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 14–20 vs 12 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 84%4'11" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%103 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.