Michael Ray Schlicht Identified as Orange County Cold Case Victim After 49 Years

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators have made a breakthrough in a cold case that has puzzled authorities for nearly five decades. The unidentified man, whose body was found in 1974, has finally been identified as Michael Ray Schlicht from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The body was discovered on September 14, 1974, near a trail in Aliso Viejo, which was then known as unincorporated Laguna Hills. It was suspected that Schlicht had died from an accidental overdose of alcohol and diazepam. Despite public appeals and fingerprint checks, no one came forward to identify the victim.

Investigators had long suspected that Schlicht may have been a victim of serial killer Randy Kraft, who was convicted in 1989 for 16 murders and sentenced to death. Kraft was known as the Scorecard Killer because he was found with a coded list believed to contain 67 victims. Additionally, his victims often showed signs of alcohol and tranquilizer use, which matched Schlicht’s cause of death.

In November 2022, Orange County investigators sent tissue samples from Schlicht to Othram Laboratories, a private forensic biotechnology company, in order to develop a DNA profile. The profile was obtained in February and uploaded into a genealogy database to build a family tree. In October, investigators contacted Schlicht’s grandparents, who appeared to be a match. They then reached out to a granddaughter, who confirmed that she had not seen her brother since he was 17 in 1974.

To confirm Schlicht’s identity, investigators traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, to obtain a DNA sample from his mother. The sample matched the DNA profile, conclusively identifying Schlicht as the long-unidentified victim.

With Schlicht’s identity finally known, investigators are now focused on determining who may have been responsible for his death. They are urging anyone with information to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS, where anonymous tips are accepted.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of DNA technology and genealogy databases in solving cold cases. It highlights the perseverance of law enforcement agencies in seeking justice for victims and their families, even after many years have passed.

The body of Michael Ray Schlicht, now officially identified, was buried in an unmarked grave at El Toro Memorial Park. The revelation of his true identity brings closure to his family, who have finally learned what happened to their loved one after almost five decades of uncertainty.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Schlicht’s death. As they work to bring justice to his case, the identification of Schlicht serves as a testament to the power of modern forensic technology and the unwavering dedication of law enforcement in seeking answers for families affected by unsolved crimes..