The Victims of the Juan Corona Case

Update 4/6/2019

This is a tribute to those 25. 14 that are in this grave, and the 11 not buried here. They may have been silenced, but we can be their voice. We can let their faces and names be known. We can make sure that they are not forgotten. Juan Corona was arrested May 26, 1971, for the murders. He was sentenced in 1973, to 25 consecutive life sentences for the first-degree murder of 25 transient farmhands. At the time of his arrest, a ledger was found with 34 names, the names of the men found were found on that ledger.

Police suspect that Juan Corona may have had more victims that were never found.

In Memory of all 25 Victims, and those who may never be found...

Key Points- 

• Many of the men had empty stomachs at the time of their autopsies. [***]

• A mass memorial was officiated by Father Joseph Bishop at St. Isadore's. 250 parishioners were in attendance. Normally the seats seated 1,500. Corona had been a frequent parishioner there. The Father also said a prayer for Corona and his family.

He said, "...for the repose of the men who have been found murdered. We beg God to give them in the future life, and the life they are now enjoying, the joys, the happiness that they obviously missed during the last sad years of their life here on earth.

I wonder if anyone here could really say they experienced anything remotely near suffering that must be in the hearts of the family of Mr. Corona during these days. I don't think that any  of us could possibly imagine the anguish that these people feel." [**]

• June 8th, another mass memorial was held at Yuba City High School's football field, held by Yuba City Ministerial Fellowship. Only 200 attended. Six Ministers spoke at the funeral including Reverend C.W. Renwick, from the Twin Cities Mission. He said, "..these men were not bums. A bum is a man who does not want work, and these men wanted work." [**]

Reverend Howard Alexander pastor of Marysville's First Baptist Church, also spoke on behalf of the men and the community's attitude towards this case being an "eyesore".

He said these men were "..guest of our community. We are our brother's keeper. We should be more concerned about men such as these, who have contributed to the economy of our community. These men have now passed beyond any help we can give them, so it is for us, the living, that has this service tonight." [**]

• Judy Freeman, a local housewife, attempted to raise money for the memorial marker at Sutter Cemetery to memorialize the 14 unclaimed victims. Public support was low, but she managed to earn $732. A Chicago firm that handled cemetery and funeral supplies, heard of the fundraising effort and offered to provide a marker, free of cost. [*]
  
  
  

• The area passed these deaths off as nothing more than the mere drunkards and outcasts of society. This angered many people, including those that tried to help these men, including the few friends that they had.

The above excerpt was taken from "Too Much Blood" by Bill Talbitzer.

Key locations -
Sullivan Ranch, Live Oak Highway- Where the victims were discovered.
Body locations and the ranch as it was during the investigation

Sutter Cemetery, Sutter Ca -14 in this Mass Grave Sutter Cemetery Sutter, Ca. Those unclaimed by family. Some of these men had family that came forward but were either already placed in this grave, or the family could not afford to bury them.

Salvation Army, where many of the victims frequented, helped in the identifying of victims. Also, the local blood banks who helped with blood types. Many of the men donated blood as a means of making money to get by.  [*]

Salvation Army
"Wino Park" was mentioned many times throughout my research. This is the area most of these guys (if not all) frequented. Many times Corona was seen picking up "workers", including the victims, it was from this park. 

Silver Dollar Saloon- Corona's brother owned Guadalajara Cafe, which is now known as the Silver Dollar.

The Guadalajara Cafe, owned by Corona's brother.
The photo was taken from a documentary about Chinatown, by Daniel Barth

Twin Cities Mortuary - This mortuary attended to the Victims. (Chapel of Twin Cities
The Day Center - This was run by Bharat Thiara. This put him in close contact with many of the men.

Twin Cities Rescue Mission, where a lot of the men visited and used their services.

The location of Twin Cities Rescue Mission, today

THE VICTIMS- The following is an accumulation of all information I could find on each victim 

The Unknown-

There are 4 unknown/unidentified John Doe's buried in the mass grave containing for victims from the Corona Case.


They are located in Section J  approx- (1-3)-(4-6)

John Doe "E-2-4" (Victim 4) Unidentified white male, 9 fingered male

John Doe "E-5-7" (Victim 7) Only wearing shorts and socks. Labeled "farm laborer"

John Doe "E-8-10" (Victim 10) An unidentified black male (Possibly Clare E. Dobyness?, Whom maybe Clarence Hocking?)

John Doe - "12"  no info

Charges:
"Count IV (4): The murder of an unidentified male adult on or about February 25, 1971, to about May 11, 1971"
"Count VII (7): The murder of an unidentified male adult on or about February 25 to May 11, 1971"
"Count X (10): The murder of an unidentified male adult on or about February 26 to May 12, 1971"
"Count XII (12): The murder of an unidentified male adult on or about February 26 to May 12, 1971"

John Joseph Haluka-

52 years old
The Sixth Victim Found
New Jersey native. His hometown was Perth Amboy.
b. Oct. 9, 191,8 New Jersey
d. May 25, 197,1 Sutter Co

Charge: "count VI (6): The murder of John J. Haluka on or about February 25 to May 11, 1971"

Haluka was known to be street smart. He mostly stayed out of trouble and he used trains to move from town to town.
He worked frequently enough to keep a room, 3 meals, and drinks, with money to spare.  [**]

He was known for working in the fields and in avocado groves. He also signed up for the draft, but in 1942 he ignored the summons. He was charged federally for draft-dodging in San Diego, but that didn't last long [*]

After spending some time in jail in San Diego, he escaped. He was picked up in Modesto again a year later. He served his time and steered clear of trouble since then. He came and left the Yuba Sutter area occasionally, wandering around. This last time, he had only came to Marysville in March. He was dead by May. [**]

Has a sister named Anna, whom at the time of notice of her brother's death, said that she had no money to bury him.

Buried: December 13th, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-1-6
Find A Grave



Warren Jerome Kelley-

62 years old
The eighth Victim Found.
A native of Texas
b. May 1909 Texas, USA
d. May 25, 1971, Sutter Co
Father of 2

Ledger Entry: "Warren Gerome Kelley March 30, 1971, S.R."

Charge: "count VIII (8): The murder of Warren Kelley on or about March 30 to May 11, 1971"

Loved Tattoos, Had flowers and initials on his left arm, and the words "TRUE" on his right knuckles, and "LOVE" on his left knuckles. This is what helped identify him. [**][*]

Had been on the road since the 1940s, since leaving his wife Ruby behind. She declined to claim his body. [**]

Buried: on October 14th, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-3-5
Find A Grave



Sigurd Emil Beirman
was known as "Pete" to friends-

Sigurd E. Beierman
(Previously an Unknown, identified as of 2/14/18, Per the NY Times)
62 Years Old
Ninth victim found.
b. Jul. 13, 1908
d. May 25, 1971, Sutter Co.
Missing a thumb.

Charge: "count IX (9): The murder of Segurd E. "Pete" Beierman on or about February 25 to May 11, 1971"
Corona v. Superior Court: "News reports publicized the statement of a transient worker named DeLong, who was held as a "material witness" by the authorities. According to DeLong, he had been with one of the victims, Beierman, on March 26 or 27, when Corona had driven up in his truck, stopped and picked up Beierman for a job. DeLong was quoted as stating, "That's the last time I ever saw that guy [Beierman]. He was one of the best guys I ever knew."
Frequenter to "Wino Park", a green patch near the banks of the Yuba River.

Pete received disability.

He stayed at "The Day Center" a 3 room hostel frequented by drifters, owned by Bharat Singh Thiara. Here they could receive free meals. In exchange, the men could earn their keep through farm labor.

20-year citizen of Marysville.
Wife passed away after a long illness.
Had a few friends including Robert Delong.
Sometimes worked at the Orchard Club and did odd jobs to make ends meet.

Some say he was one of the few who were truly missed. (I think more were missed) [**]

Buried: Sutter Cemetery
Plot: J-1-6
Find A Grave



William (Bill) Emery Kamp
On the marker, it says "Henry Kemp"-

William E Kemp
(Previously an Unknown, identified as of 2/14/18, Per the NY Times)
62 years old
The eleventh Victim Found
Native of Minnesota
b. Dec. 17, 1907 St. Paul Minnesota
d. May 26, 1971, Sutter Co.
Kemp kept many aliases.
The only Victim that was shot in the head, with a 9mm.

Charge: "count XI (11): The murder of William Emery Kamp [Sic] on or about February 26 to May 12, 1971"

A steady worker for Thiara, and earned his keep at "The Day Center" by working as a laborer.|
Was known to have a few friends. Thiara was one of them. They both had mutual respect for each other's religious convictions.

After having been sober for several years. Kamp was known to carry a Bible and read to other wanderers and "fruit tramps" who hung out in "Wino Park" and at The Day Camp.

Was known to be a reliable worker, so when he didn't return on January 23rd, 1971, Thiara became concerned. He was found dead later on May 26th.

He was buried with a religious medal that was found on him in death. He was found with $8.91, aspirin, and various religious tracts, and a pocket watch. He was also the only victim to have had a bullet in his head, amongst the wounds that all the other victims had. [**]

In a notebook he had with him, Kamp had written [***]:

"The soul without the body can do all the things the flesh body does. And more.
And the flesh body cannot exist without the spirit.
You can kill the flesh body but not the spirit body.
The spirit sleeps when the flesh body dies.
It goes back to God"

Buried: October 22nd, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-2-
Find A Grave



Clarence Hocking-

-No Photo Match, yet.
53 years old
The thirteenth Victim Found
A native of Salle, Illinois
Came to California in 1962
b.  Jan. 10 (11?), 1918 Illinois, USA
d. May 27, 1971, Sutter County

Charge: " count XIII (13): The murder of Clarence Hocking on or about February 26 to May 12, 1971"

Was passing through the Yuba Sutter area when he was picked up and offered a ride for some "farm work". He was known to travel up and down California. This is mostly known because of his arrest record, even though he did his best to avoid trouble. [**]

He had no family, aside from a sister in Linden, Ca. [*]

His existence was little to none until he died.

Buried: October 1st, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-2-5
Find A Grave


Edward Martin Cupp-


Edward M Cupp (Previously an Unknown, identified as of 2/14/18, Per the NY Times)
43 years old
Victim number 18
b. Dec. 23, 1927, Missouri
d. May 27, 1971, Sutter Co.
World War II Vet -Army
Married, but divorced.

Charge: "count XVIII (18): The murder of Edward Martin Cupp on or about May 9 to May 13, 1971"

He brightened the Christmas of 1927 for his mother and father when he was born December 23rd. [*]

He joined the service but found the restrictions to be too much and he went AWOL in 1949. He was arrested and spent time in the stockade in Jackson Mississippi.

He was arrested sometime later for a theft of a car but managed to escape jail after three months and he headed west. [*]

Worked at various jobs, including roofing and other labor.
He had a hard time finding work with a lengthy record, that included a being an Army deserter, larceny and a prison farm escape in Jefferson, Missouri.
After that, he calmed down, only being arrested on drunk in public charges after that. But the effect of those bad years hurt his ability to find opportunities for work.

May 8th 1971 he was arrested on a drunken charge. He was released, only to be found dead on May 27th.

He was found with his legs crossed, shoes untied, a velvet brand tobacco tin, and personal papers.
Has $1.81 in his pocket at the time of his death.

Buried: October 1st, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-2-5
Find A Grave



John Henry Jackson-


(I was able to identify John from a description made by a close friend of his)
64 years old
Victim number 21
A native of New York
b. Mar. 4, 1907 New York
d. May 28, 1971, Sutter Co.
World War II- Army

Ledger Entry: "John H. Jackson April 15 1971

Charge: "count XXI (21): The murder of John H. Jackson on or about April 15 to May 14, 1971"

It's said that John stood out from other members of his congregation at Bergthodt's mission for one simple reason; he was a black man.

John was a small man. Not many remember him at first but talking to people in Monticello, New York. They remembered him well. As an infant, John was left on an orphanage doorstep in a basket. Many speculate it was because he was a mixed baby.

He returned to the orphanage as an adult, to inquire about his birthdate so he could get a drivers license. They knew the year, but not the date. The Jewish community took fondly to John, and he grew to be a nice young man. He worked on a farm with Jewish people who spoke no English. He agreed to teach them English if they taught him Yiddish. [***]

In the 30s John rides the train to California and back to Monticello, back and forth. When war erupted, he signed up.

His friend Abe Lishinsky, says that John was most definitely not a drinker, but he was a wanderer.

From Abe's description, John was only black in the skin. "He had a hook nose, the lips of the East Indian" (from this description, I am able to identify John in my stack of "unidentified" photos.)

"He never hurt anybody in his life. He was never in anger in his life. And John was always willing to work" Abe fondly remembers John as simply "simple". [***]

Known as a quiet man and a wanderer, Jackson frequented the Marysville area since the 1940s. His only known friend was Anna Lishinsky who taught him Yiddish. [**]

"Via CaseText: "Byron Shannon, another labor contractor in the Marysville area, testified that on May 3 or 4, 1971, he met John Henry Jackson, victim 21, who was looking for a job. Before they could come to any arrangement, Corona came by. After a short discussion, Jackson was hired by Corona who drove him away in his pickup truck. This was the last time Shannon saw Jackson alive.

Jackson was found next to a rolled up sleeping bag, fully dressed. He wore a navy peacoat, a sweater, two nylon jackets, two t-shirts, and bib overalls

Buried: October 14th, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-2-4
Find A Grave



Lloyd Wallace Wenz(t)el-

60 years old
Victim number 22
A native of South Dakota
b. Jun. 11, 1910 South Dakota
d. May 29, 1971, Sutter Co.

Charge: "count XXII (22): The murder of Lloyd Wallace Wenzel on or about May 14 to May 22, 1971"

Wentzel was arrested in Sacramento County on April 23rd, 1971. He was sentenced to 50 days because he appeared so frequently in front of the judge. He had done a little time but was released on probation. He knew he had worn out his welcome on the lower end of Sacramento.

After being released, he decided to move on. On May 14th he got a bus ticket to Marysville.

15 days later he was found dead.

He had one living sister in Arizona.[*]

Buried: on October 14th, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-3-5
Find A Grave



Sam Bonafide (a.k.a. Joe Carriveau)-
No Photo Match, yet.
55 years old
Victim Number 24
b. Feb. 10, 1916, Washington State
 d. Jun. 3, 1971 Sutter Co
World War II Vet - Army

Ledger Entry: "Sam Bonafiede [sic] May 6 1971"

Charge: "count XXIV (24): The murder of Sam Bonafiede [sic], also known as Joe Carriveau, on or about April 21 to May 20, 1971"

Sam is an interesting character. On researching him I found out some fascinating things. He went by two identities. Same Bonafide and Joe Carriveau. These two identities came with different background info as well.

Sam Bonafide was listed as being born in Washington State on February 10th, 1916.
Joe Carriveau was listed as being born in Puerto Rico on November 29th, 1919.

Aside from his pseudonym, Sam was a hard worker who often looked for work, much like the others, to make his ends meet.

At the time of his death, Sam had a bank account with $310.40 in it.

He had a brother and sister, but neither claimed his body.

Buried: October 22nd, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-3-4
Find A Grave



Joseph J. Maczak-
No Photo Match, yet.
54 years old
Victim Number 25
A native of Illinois
b. Mar. 17, 1916 Illinois
d. Jun. 4, 1971 Sutter Co

Charge: "count XXV (25): The murder of Joseph Maczak on or about April 26 to May 21, 1971."

Joe Maczak was born on St Patrick's Day March 17th, 1916. Maybe this is why he had lucky horseshoes tattooed on his forearm. These tattoos helped to identify him. Not a lot is said about Maczak, that hasn't been said about the others. He was a wanderer who sought out odd jobs to make ends meet.

It's said that he never owned more than he could carry in his pockets.

He was buried on Columbus Day in Sutter Cemetery - October 12th, 1971. [*]

Via CaseText: "25th grave, the burial ground of Joseph Maczak, the police discovered a number of sundry items (candleholder, pieces of broken mirror, child's sock) belonging to Corona (see discussion below), and more importantly two Bank of America deposit slips. Printed on the slips was "Juan V. Corona, 768 Richland Road, Yuba City, California."

Joe had a sister in Los Angeles, but no one came forward to claim his body.

Buried: October 12th, 1971 in the mass grave at Sutter Cemetery.
Plot: J-2-4
Find A Grave





-The 11 Victims not buried at the mass grave

Kenneth Edward Whitacre-



(Previously an Unknown, identified as of 2/14/18, Per the NY Times with the photo above)
40 years old
The first victim found.
A native of California.
Near Oakland during the Depression
b 1931
d. May19, 1971
Vet- Air Force as a Master Sergeant
Left with a "general discharge"
Unmarried

Charge: "Count I (1): The murder of Kenneth Whitacre on or about May 19, 1971"
No Further information available at this time

According to his sister, he had begun shining shoes at the age of 6. He grew up obedient, did as he was told. At one point, after the service, he supported both his mother and sister. She said at one time he had been a really good looking man, with no shortage of attention from girls. [***]

Whitacre moved a lot from between the Bay and the Yuba Sutter area. He at one time had a job driving truck for the local phone company. But that job ended when he crashed the truck on a one-way street [**] [***]

After a long arrest record and robbery conviction in 1966, Whitacre took to reading his Bible and working side jobs to pay for his stay at the Grand Hotel on 1st St. in Marysville [**]

Elva was very vocal about her brother, especially in the blase way that people talked about the victims. She said, "Somebody has to do that work. Even if you pick radishes, you're still a human being."

He wanted to be free. [***]

He was found wearing combat boots and an unshaven face. Many publications I have come across said that his corpse had a "stiffened grin". Some publications claim that there was gay pornographic literature in his back pocket, while other publications say that claim was widely over exaggerated that there was a Bible and paper in the pocket. Nothing about pornographic material came up in the trial.

He was recognizable for not having many teeth. Sgt. Sizelove had stopped Whitacre only days before, and with him grinning in-grave, the way he was, he was instantly recognizable.

Sizelove had seen him days before standing on a road in Yuba City in a long grey overcoat. He looked dazed, had matted hair and was unshaven. He remembered thinking to himself, he maybe hungry but at least he was warm with that oversized coat.
Above- [***]

Last Seen May 19, 1971, when questioned by an officer
Through a number of eyewitnesses, the prosecution established that Whitacre was last seen in the general area of the Kagehiro farm about 1 p.m. on May 19, 1971.

He had a brother in Alameda and a sister, Elva in Palo Alto or San Leandro

Burial/Cremation: I believe Kenneth was cremated as there isn't any burial info on him.



Charles (Cleveland?) Levy Fleming-

No Photo Match, yet.
67 years old
Fleming was the Second victim Found.
A native of Louisiana
b. Jul. 15, 1903 d. May 25, 1971, Sutter Co
Father of two.
World War II Vet - Selective Service
Was a wanderer who until his death had little proof of his existence.

Ledger Entry: "May 11 Charles Linil Flemig [sic]"

Charge: " count II (2): The murder of Charles Fleming on or about May 8 to May 11, 1971""Charles Fleming, apparently had cash on him when he was working on the ranch, because a witness had testified Fleming showed him five $100 bills in his wallet shortly before he vanished. He also was penniless when his body was found."

Cremated at Sierra View on July 19th, 1971, later buried in Louisiana by family, just 4 days after his 68th birthday
.
Buried: Fleming Cemetery -Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, USA
Note:    "Son of Charles Bartlett and Abigail Fleming (WWII Marker- PVT US Army) "
Charles was the second victim found.
Find A Grave

Melford Everett Sample-

59 years old.
The third Victim Found
Nebraska Native
b. April 6, 1912, Greeley
d. May 21, 1971, Sutter Co.
World War II Vet- Army

Charge: "count III (3): The murder of Melford Sample on or about May 21, 1971"

Came to Yuba City in 1969. 22 years prior he had a separation from his wife. His wife returned to Greeley. He kept little to no contact with his family and became a wanderer. He was a laborer who did odd jobs to get by. [**]

His sister Bernice wrote him faithfully, and occasionally he'd return a letter to her.

"about six to eight inches above the feet of the victim two pieces of pink paper were found. They were slips from the Del Pero Meat Company, dated May 21, 1971, and bore the name of Juan Corona."

Cremated: Sierra View Memorial Park on July 26th, 1971.
Some various info- [*]



Donald Dale "Red" Smith-

60 years old
The fifth Victim Found
Originally from Frankfort, Kansas
b. June 23, 1910, Kansas
d. May 11, 1971, Sutter Co.
Vet- Combat Infantry in Sicily and North Africa

Charge: "count V (5): The murder of Donald Smith on or about April 30 to May 11, 1971"
Became a wander out of high school in 1928. A frequenter of Marysville's "Skid Row" as well as Yuba City. He worked in and around YC for years.

He loved the Yuba Sutter area more than any place he had ever been. [*]
Was never known to hurt anybody and to be gentle natured, Smith had a long line of arrest history (97 counts) for being drunk in public, petty theft, panhandling, and vagrancy. [**][*]

The prosecutor said that one of the victims, Donald Dale Smith, had been in a hospital shortly before his death for an automobile accident injury and had received a $750 insurance settlement shortly before he was killed.

Dale had a sister, Elinor, but she did not claim the body.

Cremated: August 3rd, 1971 at Sierra View

Note-There are two conflicting stories. At the time of his death, he had $255.32 in a bank account at BofA in Roseville, one is that he paid for his own cremation, the other is that his sister contributed the money to Rev. Renwick's boarding home where he has a "Red Smith" memorial bed. The money went towards a bed for boarders.. [*][***]



James Wylie Howard-

No Photo Match, yet.
64 years old.
The fourteenth Victim Found
A native of New Mexico
b. May 25, 1907, Elida, New Mexico
d. May 27, 1971, Sutter Co.
Never Married

Charge: "count XIV (14): The murder of James W. Howard on or about May 1 to May 13, 1971"

Was a known laborer who kept to himself.  He moved between Marysville and Sacramento a lot, where he had a brother.

He attempted to settle in Oklahoma during the Depression but decided to head west.[*]

Received disability, although he was a wanderer at $109 a month. He often borrowed money from a friend in between checks.

He was found with two pill bottles dated April 30th, 1971 and a handful of papers from the welfare department and a Greyhound bus ticket from the 31st.
Above- [**]

His body was claimed by family and he was buried at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park in Sacramento.

Buried: Mount Vernon Memorial Park- Fair Oaks, Sacramento County CA
Find A Grave



Jonah Raggio Smallwood
nicknamed "Driftwood" by friends, and "Joe" by family-

(Previously face was unknown, identified as of 2/14/18, Per the NY Times)56 Years Old
The fifteenth Victim Found
b. October 5, 1914, Gainsboro Tennessee
d. May 12, 1971, Sutter Co
World War II Vet -Navy
Honorably discharged in 1952
Father of 7

Ledger Entry: "May 12 Jona R. Smalwood [sic]

Charge: "count XV (15): The murder of Jona R. Smallwood on or about May 12, 1971"
No Further information available at this time

A friend of Ken Busby, who said wherever he was, "Driftwood" seemed to show up too.
He was also friends with Elbert J.T. Riley, another victim. They were known to travel together occasionally. Was known to always carry a little cash for a place to stay or food, in order to avoid any vagrancy charges.

Jonah had married and became a father of 7. With the pressure of married life and having so many children, he left. Life was hard outside the service for a man with only a 3rd-grade education. He never saw his wife or children again. [*]

Some say while he was usually quiet, he would become quarrelsome when drinking.

He was found with a set of dentures and a few books of food stamps.

"Via CaseText: "May 12, 1971. On that occasion, Byron Shannon was talking to Smallwood, Riley, and Allen (victims 15, 16 and 17) in lower Marysville. Appellant drove up in a pickup truck and asked Smallwood, Allen, and Riley if they wanted to work for him. They accepted the job offered by Corona and all left in appellant's truck. Shannon never saw any of the three men again."

The family claimed the body and it was taken back to Gainsboro.

Buried: Gainsboro Tennessee at Pherris Cemetery September 30th, 1971
Inscription: Tn USNR WW II
Find A Grave


Elbert J.T. Riley-




(New Photo from the NY Times added as of 2/14/18)

45 years old

Sixteenth Victim Found.
Native of Arkansas
b. Mar. 23, 1925 Arkansas d. May 27, 1971
World War II Vet - Army
Discharged 1947
Father of 1

Charge: " count XVI (16): The murder of Elbert J.T. Riley on or about May 12, 1971

A known wanderer. Was friends with Jonah Smallwood and Paul Allen both were also victims. They were known to travel together.

Had a sister, but was known to take off after getting "fed up" with family. Family adamantly defended that he was a not a "tramp", but someone who had to keep on the move. He had a skill-set of electrician and carpentry.

He had a wife, Linda Ann in Farmsville. The family grew used to his being on the move.
Above- [**]

For some time he sent support to his family, but work was scarce. In 1966 he was arrested for failure of providing for his child, but he escaped jail in Tulare but was rearrested. He served his time to escape without incident. [*]

"Via CaseText: "May 12, 1971. On that occasion, Byron Shannon was talking to Smallwood, Riley, and Allen (victims 15, 16 and 17) in lower Marysville. Appellant drove up in a pickup truck and asked Smallwood, Allen, and Riley if they wanted to work for him. They accepted the job offered by Corona and all left in appellant's truck. Shannon never saw any of the three men again."

He was found with a set of dentures with a name scratched into, a social security card and jail release paperwork.

His dad and daughter claimed his body when they found about his death.

Buried: Exeter District Cemetery- Exeter, Tulare County CA August 24th, 1971
Plot: 6/35-11
Find A Grave



Paul Buel Allen-



59 Years Old
The seventeenth Victim FoundA native of Arkansas
b. December 19, 1911
d. May 13, 1971, Sutter Co.
World War II Vet - Army
Wore an eye patch over his right eye.
Had been married, but divorced.

Ledger Entry: "May 15 Paul B Allen 71"

Charge: "count XVII (17): The murder of Paul B. Allen on or about May 2 to May 13, 1971"

Paul left Arkansas to California in the '30s with his brother Edwin. They both joined the Army. Paul married and Edwin moved back to Arkansas. Before long, Paul went wandering again.

Edwin talks about a time that Paul was hit by a car and drug down a road at the age of 15. He believes that is the time that things really took a turn, and he began drinking. [***]

Edwin explains that one of his eyes went askew after an auto accident. The eye looked straight up, so he wore the patch. [***]

Was identified by a Social Security Card in his pocket, as well as a booking slip from the Oroville Jail.
He has $2.17 in his pocket along with various items like a pair of gloves, a wallet, a padlock, and a can opener. He was also found with his eye patch. [**]

He was known to work around the community to make ends meet. He had literally just arrived in Marysville when he found two friends to drink with. Him, Smallwood and Riley went on a binger and decided to go back into town after a few days, to find work.

Via CaseText: "May 12, 1971. On that occasion, Byron Shannon was talking to Smallwood, Riley and Allen (victims 15, 16 and 17) in lower Marysville. Appellant drove up in a pickup truck and asked Smallwood, Allen and Riley if they wanted to work for him. They accepted the job offered by Corona and all left in appellant's truck. Shannon never saw any of the three men again."


His body was claimed by his brother in Arkansas.

Buried: Fort Smith National Cemetery, a military cemetery, in Arkansas on July 25th, 1971
Above- [**]
Plot: 13, 0, 154
Find A Grave



Albert Leon "Scratchy" Hayes-

No Photo Match, yet.
58 Years Old
The nineteenth Victim Found
A native of Pennsylvania
b. Apr. 5, 1913 Pennsylvania
d. May 27, 1971
World War II Vet - Army

Charge: "count XIX (19): The murder of Albert Hayes on or about February 27 to May 13, 1971"

1934- At the age of 17 he was busted in Salt Lake City for being drunk and trespassing, tough charges during the Prohibition in a dry county. [*]

He made his way to the west coast and moved around California via freight train.

Known for wearing a cracked red hard hat with the name "Scratchy" written across it.
Wandering Between LA and Oregon. Scratchy was well known by many.
His red hardhat was found in the bushes near his make-shift grave his violator put him in.
Above- [**]

He was also known for being cooperative with law enforcement and did his time as he was supposed to when he did get into a bit of trouble.

He was known to be liked by all that met him. [*]

Buried: Sutter Cemetery -Sutter, Sutter County Ca September 16th, 1971
Plot: G-175-2
Note: Veteran- Pennsylvania SGT US Army -WWII
Find A Grave



Raymond Reand Muchache-




(Previously an unidentified photo, I am able to identify Raymond based on his ethnicity.)
(New photo added 2/14/18 from NY Times. Confirms previous thought on this being Raymond)
47 Years Old
Born in Fall River Mills Shasta County, near Susanville
b. September 19, 1923 d. May 12, 1971
He was of Maidu Indian Descent.

Ledger Entry: "May 18 Indio (Indian) 1971" (Machache was the only known Indian found deceased.)

Charge: "count XX (20): The murder of Raymond Muchache on or about May 12, 1971"

Muchache was a known drinker and wanderer, but he never strayed from California. He didn't stay long in the Yuba Sutter Area. The last day he was seen was on May 17th when he showered at Twin Cities Rescue Mission.
Above- [**]

It's said that he was entitled to a piece of the multi-million dollar settlement the federal government was offering his people for his tribal lands, but he had a hard time getting along with other Maidu's.

He was very fond of drinking and was known for having an abrasive temperament. [*]

His body was found near John Henry Jackson, another Victim
Above- [**]

His cousins, Uncles, and Aunts claimed his body and took him home to Fall River Mills.

Buried: Fall River Cemetery
There was no page for Raymond, so I made him on at:
Find A Grave



Mark Beverly Shields-


(Previous an Unknown photo, Identified as of 2/14/18 per NY Times article)
56 Years Old
A native of California
b. July 15, 1914, Santa Rosa, California
d. April 28, 1971, Sutter Co
World War II Vet -Army

Ledger Entry: "Mark Beverly SHialds [sic] April 28, 1971"

Charge: "count XXIII (23): The murder of Mark Beverly Shields on or about April 28 to May 15, 1971"

I spoke to a woman who says she is the niece of one of the victims named "Carl Shields". I asked her if she could identify him by photos and she took her best guess, but said she was unsure, as she had not seen him in many years.

It's said that shields was brought up in a moderate middle-class family. He went off to the war at the height of it's urgency. After that, life was no longer normal for Shields.

After the war, he drifted and like much of the others we've talked about, he developed a drinking problem. He searched for odd jobs to make ends meet.

Shields was found only within a hundred yards from the bunkhouse at Sullivan Ranch.

Searching for relatives, the Sheriffs department came across the name Hattie Lorraine Salig on a booking slip that was said to "notify if dead". The same woman claimed to have had rendezvous with Corona.

Above information found at - [*]

His military status enabled him to be buried at Sierra View.

Burial: Sierra View Memorial Park -Olivehurst, Yuba County Ca
Find A Grave

Clarence E. Dobyness-

Is there a possibility of being Clarence Hocking?
***Update as of 2/14/18

This photo and name were found in a 1971 NY times article. It's a name I have not seen this photo or name before. The possibility of him being Clarence Hocking, but I am unsure. I will find out. He is obviously an African American gentleman, and in my research, I have only heard of 2 black fellows, which would be an "Unknown" and John Henry Jackson.


These Victims photos have been released with no identification:
Found @ California State Archives Courtesy & Murderpedia













































If any family members see this and can let us know which one is your relative, please let me know.

 THE LEDGER – This ledger contained names of known victims. I suspect more of these names of other victims who were never found.

ONE SURVIVOR-

José Romero Raya-

On February 25th, 1970, a 1 a.m. José Romero Raya was discovered in the bathroom, by patrons at the Guadalajara Cafe. He had been molested, hacked and beaten about the face and head by what appeared to be a large knife or machete. The exact same way the victims above were killed. The man was still alive, but the beating had left him with 3 skull fractures and permanent disfigurement, including his lips being cut from his face.

Raya's name was also in the ledger.

Ledger Entry: "Jose Romero R. Fev. 24 1970"

From PEOPLE v. CORONA: "It is noteworthy that Raya's name appeared on page 50 of appellant's ledger, together with the date "Fev. 24 1970," the day Corona had asked Raya to accompany him to the Sullivan ranch. Both the date and Raya's name were written in the ledger in the manner it would have been written in Mexico (cf. "Jose Romero R.")."

Artist depiction of Jose Raya testifying in Court

OTHER POSSIBLE VICTIMS

William "Billy" Vaughn -

Via CaseText: It also included the name of one William Earl Vaughn who, although not an identified victim, had disappeared from the Marysville-Yuba City area

Ledger Entry: "William Earl Vaguhan [ sic] April 5, 1971" 
Herbert Kent - another man missing mentioned in a few articles by people at the Missions in Marysville.

John Martin Spain
 -a family recently contacted me to let me know that a family member had gone missing April 1971 and may have been a victim in the Juan Corona Case. Read his story here.

Ray Seyton

 -Another man mentioned being last seen with John Martin Spain.

A Possible Hispanic Male, Tehama County -

One body found in Tehama County ranch where Corona had been a contractor. Victim was hacked about just like the previous victims. "But we had him (Corona) on 25 counts already. It didn't make sense to bring in bodies from another jurisdiction," said Sheriff Roy Whiteaker.


Another body west of Hwy 99 - found with the same wounds, near an adjoining property where the other bodies had been found


ChicoER News: "Whiteaker can no longer can remember how many bodies he and then-District Attorney Dave Teja decided were likely still underground.
Teja, now deceased, alluded to more than a dozen during an interview in January 2010.
"There were seven human blood types found in his van," Whiteaker said of Corona's vehicle. "That suggests a lot of people bled in there."





HUGE UPDATE-

New York Times Article from Wednesday, June 16th, 1971

This article helped me to put 9 more faces with names and even gave me a new face I had never seen before (Clarence)

References:Find a grave

Twenty-Five Murders: Looking for a Reason
By John B. Dickson

Robbery suggested as motive in slayings of field workers

Murderpedia
[*]"Too Much Blood" by Bill Talbitzer

[**]"Burden of Proof; The Juan Corona Case" by Ed Cray

[***]"The Road to Yuba City; A Journey Into the Juan Corona Case" By Tracy Kidder

PEOPLE v. CORONA
Docket Nos. 12401, 15257.
80 Cal.App.3d 684 (1978)
145 Cal. Rptr. 894
THE PEOPLE, Plaintiff, and Respondent, v. JUAN VALLEJO CORONA, Defendant and Appellant.
JUAN VALLEJO CORONA on Habeas Corpus.
Court of Appeals of California, First District, Division Two.