RIVERSIDE (CNS) – A murder victim whose body was dumped on the side of
the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway in an area known as the Badlands was finally
identified after more than 27 years of trying to find clues as to who she was,
authorities said today.
Juana Rosas Zagal, 41, of Los Angeles, was confirmed to be the
individual whose remains were located on the morning of Jan. 27, 1996, roughly
1.5 miles east of Gilman Springs Road, between Moreno Valley and Beaumont,
according to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
The area is known as the Badlands because of its rugged, barren
terrain and lack of frontage roads near the freeway.
The cold case murder had been profiled by the D.A.’s office and
sheriff’s department at least twice before in an attempt to generate leads over
the past few years.
“Her body was found on the side of the road in a trash pile, and we
believe she had been killed at that location (hours earlier),” sheriff’s
Master Investigator Jason Corey said in January 2022. “We’re hoping that
somebody will come forward and provide us with some more investigative leads
and bring justice for her loved ones.”
According to the county Regional Cold Case Homicide Team,
investigators ultimately utilized various DNA screening technologies, including
Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, which accesses direct-to-consumer
databases to track down ancestral ties, as well as the National Missing &
Unidentified Persons System.
“The California Department of Justice-Riverside Crime Lab … was
then able to positively identify the victim as Juana Rosas Zagal,” according
to a D.A.’s office statement.
The victim had four daughters, “who had nearly lost hope of knowing
the whereabouts of their mother,” the agency stated.
Investigators did not disclose the exact cause of Zagal’s death.
Robbery did not appear to be a motive.
According to the D.A.’s office, there were a number of pieces of
jewelry found on the victim. They included a gold-colored religious pendant
with Jesus on one side and the Virgin Mary on the other, as well as two rings —
one multi-colored, and the other appearing to be an engagement ring. There was
additionally a Japona watch and a necklace with a rose attached
“Detectives believe there are still friends, neighbors or colleagues
of Juana who may be able to provide more information to help clarify Juana’s
disappearance,” the D.A.’s office said.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the investigative team at
951-955-0740 or 951-955-2777.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
CNS-06-26-2023 10:25
