15-04-2025
Fingerprint technology helps identify body found in 1981
( — A man who was found in a body of water in Thornton back in 1981 was identified with the use of fingerprint technology, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.
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SJCSO said deputies responded to reports of a body floating in the water around 2:37 p.m. on July 13, 1981 near Blossom Road and Beaver Slough.
Authorities found a severely decomposed body wearing white swim shorts with red and blue stripes. Deputies also said the victim had a 'Black is Beautiful' tattoo on his left arm and a gunshot wound on his right shoulder.
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According to SJCSO, the victim may have been connected to a Cadillac that was seen driving in the area days earlier.
The sheriff's office said the advancement of fingerprint technology recently helped identify the victim as Edward Donald Raymond, born on February 21, 1947. The victim also had the alias Edward Wilson, born July 21, 1948.
Authorities confirm the man was never reported missing and the only available information is a 1976 arrest by the San Francisco Police Department where an address in Oakland was provided.
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with any information on what happened to Raymond call (209) 468-4400.
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