Coverage dated July 15, 2026 to July 17, 2026

Remains of murder victim found in 1981 identified as missing California millionaire

Headline from WGN Chicago, from the development of Jul 15, 2026

Newest development Jul 16, 2026 · 3 reportsRemains of LA millionaire missing since 1981 identified after more than 40 years

The body of Thelma Gaston was discovered by a person gathering firewood in a mountainous area.

WGN Chicago's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Names this update

    Remains of murder victim found in 1981 identified as missing California millionaire

    Headline from WGN Chicago ·

  2. Newest

    Remains of LA millionaire missing since 1981 identified after more than 40 years

    Headline from The Guardian ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Reports & sources

19 articles, oldest first.

  1. KTLA Los Angeles

    Remains of murder victim identified as missing Southern California millionaire (opens KTLA Los Angeles)

    Published

    KTLA Los Angeles's feed description

    After more than four decades, the remains of a woman who was found buried in the mountains of Riverside County were identified as a multi-millionaire who went missing in 1981. The body of Thelma Gaston was discovered by a person gathering firewood in a mountainous area near Sugar Loaf Mountain and t…

  2. WGN Chicago

    Remains of murder victim found in 1981 identified as missing California millionaire (opens WGN Chicago)

    Published

    WGN Chicago's feed description

    The body of Thelma Gaston was discovered by a person gathering firewood in a mountainous area.

  3. WFLA

    Remains of murder victim found in 1981 identified as missing millionaire (opens WFLA)

    Published

    WFLA's feed description

    The body of Thelma Gaston was discovered by a person gathering firewood in a mountainous area.

  4. People

    A Body Was Discovered in 1981. 45 Years Later, Police Identified Her as a Missing Millionaire (opens People)

    Published

    People's feed description

    Thelma Gaston’s romantic partner was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison around the time of her disappearance

  5. The Guardian

    Remains of LA millionaire missing since 1981 identified after more than 40 years (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    After Thelma Gaston disappeared, her companion was convicted of second-degree murder Authorities in southern California announced this week that, after more than 40 years, they had identified the remains of a Los Angeles millionaire missing since 1981.

  6. Fox News

    Woman found in shallow grave ID’d after 44 years as millionaire tied to estate murder plot (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Thelma Gaston, an 80-year-old multimillionaire who vanished in 1981, was finally identified through forensic genealogy after remains went unnamed.

  7. Seattle Times

    Remains of CA millionaire who vanished in 1981 are identified (opens Seattle Times)

    Published

    Seattle Times's feed description

    A man described as an "incompetent scoundrel" was convicted in her murder, but the remains of THelma Jeanette Gaston were not identified until this week.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

Remains of murder victim found in 1981 identified as missing California millionaire | Since Then