Body found in 1980 in Northern California finally identified

(FOX40.COM) — A body found near a creek in Benicia in early 1980 that was only known for decades as John Doe #3 has finally been identified.

The body was found on a property off Lopes Road in Benicia. The Solano County Sheriff’s Office said that in the previous 44 years, officials could not glean more information about the remains other than that it was an adult male and that he died of corrosive esophagitis, which resulted from ingesting a chemical substance.

In the summer of 2023, the body was exhumed and the investigation into his death resumed as part of the Doe Cold Case Project.

Over the next 15 months, investigators from the coroner’s office and forensic staff were able to conduct facial reconstruction and new DNA testing to confirm the identity.

Donald Gene Horecka, of Las Vegas, Nevada, in a photo from circa 1972.
For 44 years, Horecka’s remains were only known as John Doe #3.
A forensic team started work in July 2023 to to facial reconstruction and DNA testing, leading to the identification of Horecka.

Officials say that the person found in early 1980 was 25-year-old Donald Gene Horecka of Las Vegas.

He had allegedly gone missing from Nevada in either the late 1970s or early 1980.

Officials shared a photo of Horecka from around 1972, along with recreations of his facial features by a forensic artist.

Officials ask anyone who may have information about Horecka to call coroner investigator Jessica Dew at 707-784-7500.