“Daniel Ashton Walker Jr. Cold Case Update: Suspect Identified 50 Years After Fatal Shooting in the Mojave Desert”

1. Long-tailed keyword: After 50 years, investigators identify suspect in killing of Good Samaritan
2. Long-tailed keyword: Investigators finally identify suspect in Good Samaritan murder after 50 years.

Accident – death – Obituary News : Daniel Ashton Walker Jr. was tragically shot and killed by an unknown gunman nearly 50 years ago, as he and a passenger slept in a parked car along Interstate 40 in the Mojave Desert. This cold case has recently been solved, as San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials have identified Thomas Eugene Creech as the suspect behind the shooting.

Walker, a 22-year-old Good Samaritan from Illinois, had packed his van and left his family in Santa Ana on his way back to Denver. While traveling north through the Cajon Pass, Walker picked up an 18-year-old hitchhiker near Interstate 15 and Highway 138, promising to drive him home to Texas. Known for his kind and helpful nature, Walker often went out of his way to do good deeds for others.

After passing through Victorville and Barstow, Walker and his passenger decided to park alongside I-40, about 62 miles west of Needles, to get some rest. However, at around 6 a.m. the next day, Walker was awakened by an unknown suspect, later identified as Creech, who shot him multiple times. The passenger, who was asleep in the back of the van, heard the gunshots and Walker pleading with the gunman not to shoot again. He hid under a blanket as two more shots rang out, and later described two white men leaving the scene in a gold van.

The passenger managed to escape and flagged down a passing motorist for help. Walker was taken to a local hospital but sadly succumbed to his injuries. Investigators spoke to a delivery man who encountered the suspects earlier that morning. The suspects had waved him down when their van got stuck in the sand. They mentioned heading to Indiana and carrying a shotgun to use for tire traction. The delivery man assisted them and refused payment for his services.

During the initial investigation in 1974, authorities believed robbery was the motive for the shooting. However, the suspects only took $80 from Walker and left behind his motorcycle, stereo system, and luggage stored in the back of his van. Law enforcement officials in California, Nevada, and Arizona were alerted and stopped vans matching the suspect’s description.

Despite efforts to solve the case, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s homicide detail and cold case team were unable to develop any viable leads over the years. However, on November 15, the cold case team resumed the investigation and obtained additional information that led to the identification of Creech as the suspect in Walker’s murder. Creech was already incarcerated in an Idaho prison for several other murders, where he was found guilty.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has reviewed the case and is consulting with the Ada County District Attorney’s Office in Idaho. Creech has claimed to have killed dozens of people over the years, but the exact number remains uncertain. He has been convicted of five murders and is currently the longest-serving inmate on death row in Idaho.

Creech’s public defenders from the nonprofit Federal Defender Services of Idaho have expressed skepticism about the recent announcement, stating that there is no real evidence against Creech. They argue that the case has never been tied to him, despite previous attempts to link him to the crime. The defense team questions the timing of the revelation of “intimate details” provided by Creech and calls into question the motives behind the recent developments.

Anyone with additional information about this case is urged to contact Detective Justin Carty with the specialized investigations division – homicide detail, cold case team at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or wetip.com.

In conclusion, the identification of Thomas Eugene Creech as the suspect in the murder of Daniel Ashton Walker Jr. brings a glimmer of hope for closure for his family and loved ones. The cold case team’s determination to solve this decades-old crime demonstrates their commitment to justice. As investigations continue, it is crucial for anyone with information to come forward and assist in bringing the responsible parties to justice..

– After 50 years, investigators ID suspect who killed Good Samaritan
– After 50 years, investigators identify suspect in murder of Good Samaritan.