RIVERSIDEÂ – Riverside police Cold Case Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help to generate leads in three long-unsolved homicides, two of which involve infants.
The oldest case goes back to Oct. 13, 1987, when an infant girl was found in a dumpster in the 4500 block of La Sierra Avenue, between Collett and Schuyler avenues, in the La Sierra neighborhood, according to Riverside police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback.
He said the baby’s death was ultimately ruled a homicide because of the circumstances, but no other details were disclosed.
Despite numerous attempts to confirm the victim’s identity at the time, police came up empty-handed.
Railsback said the second case involves the July 11, 1992, murder of a man in his 20s. The victim was walking along the sidewalk in the 2700 block of McKinley Street, in the Casa Blanca area, when someone approached and shot him in the chest, according to the police spokesman.
“The man was taken to local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” Railsback said.
Detectives continue to seek any information on the shooting, including the man’s identity.
The Cold Case Unit has also been frustrated by another baby murder case, this one occurring on April 13, 1994.
Railsback said the infant was left on a public bus bench near the intersection of Arlington and Crest avenues, within the Arlanza quarter of the city. She died from intentionally inflicted injuries, but no other details were released.
Railsback said the police department’s Forensics Unit has been working with the Riverside County Coroner’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the FBI and private laboratories in an attempt to ascertain the victims’ identities through DNA.
“There is no further information to provide regarding these three unidentified victims,” he said. “Detectives are hoping someone will recognize these basic details and come forward with additional information that can lead to their identities, as well as those responsible for their deaths.”
Anyone who can help was asked to contact the Cold Case Unit at 951-320-8000, or email RPDUnidentified@RiversideCA.gov.
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