Authorities in Arizona have recently made a significant breakthrough in a cold case that dates back nearly half a century. The victim of a mysterious homicide, which occurred at Katherine’s Landing on Lake Mohave, has finally been identified after 47 long years.

The grim discovery was made by hikers on November 23, 1976, in a shallow cave located in an elevated desert area approximately six miles east of Katherine’s Landing. Situated about 100 miles south of Las Vegas, the victim, described as a 30-35-year-old man standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 140-150 pounds, had remained nameless until now, as revealed by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators determined that the victim had suffered a fatal gunshot wound at close range, inflicting a fatal injury to the head. During the subsequent autopsy, fingerprints were obtained, but unfortunately, no identification could be made at the time. Consequently, the victim’s case went cold, with no leads or potential suspects to pursue.

However, this year marked a turning point in the investigation. In October, the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit decided to revisit the case, bringing new technological advancements to the table. By comparing the victim’s digital fingerprint images from 1976 to the extensive national fingerprint records now available, investigators successfully managed to establish the victim’s identity.

The victim has now been positively identified as Luis Alonso Paredes, originally hailing from El Salvador. Detectives working on the case have also discovered information suggesting that Paredes may have been residing or working in the Las Vegas area around the time of his untimely demise.

Additionally, it has come to light that nearly ten years prior to his tragic death, Paredes may have been employed by both the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy in the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite the progress made in identifying the victim, investigators have hit a roadblock in locating any surviving relatives of Paredes.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is appealing to the public for assistance in solving this enduring mystery. They urge anyone with information regarding the case, or anyone who may be able to help locate Paredes’ family, to come forward and contact the sheriff’s office immediately.