Remains of murder victim identified as missing Southern California millionaire

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 the Pinyon Crest
community on Nov. 28, 1981. 

After experiencing a series of heartbreaking life events, including the
death of her husband and her 32-year-old son in the same year in 1957,
Gaston continued forging ahead, focusing on her business of buying
repossessed properties and selling them. 

By 1980, she had amassed a fortune estimated to be over $20 million,
SFGATE reported. 

On June 28, 1981, a note was left on the front door of her home near
Century City, saying she was out searching for her cat. However, she
never returned home and her loved ones did not hear from her. 

By then, Gaston was 80 years old. As Los Angeles Police Department
detectives investigated her disappearance, they discovered a younger
man, Lawrence Remsen, then 39, had recently entered her life and was the
woman’s romantic companion, SFGATE reported. 

At one point, the woman’s friends said Gaston had wondered about
Remsen’s motives in being with her. 

Police eventually found letters and documents reportedly signed by
Gaston that gave Remsen power of attorney. Another letter allegedly
written by the woman claimed she had run away “to have some fun in
life.” However, her friends said the move was completely out of
character. 

Detectives later confirmed the letters were certified with a stolen
notary stamp and her signatures were believed to be forged. 

Remsen had tried selling some of Gaston’s properties and attempted to
withdraw more than $100,000 from her bank accounts. Remsen eventually
fled the Southern California area. 

A few months later, he was arrested by border agents when he tried to
enter the U.S. from Mexico. He was charged with Gaston’s murder even
though the woman’s body had not been found. 

During a trial hearing, Remsen later claimed he found the woman dead of
natural causes in her home and, attempting to take her fortune, had
disposed of her body in the ocean. 

The judge disagreed and later ruled that Remsen had killed the woman
“intentionally and with malice.” He was convicted of murder and
sentenced to life in prison. 

Gaston’s body was later discovered buried in a shallow grave in the
mountains. However, due to the poor condition of the remains,
investigators were unable to narrow down an identity. 

A breakthrough occurred in 2022 when the Riverside County Sheriff’s
Coroner’s Bureau received new funding to reexamine long-standing
unidentified cases. 

“Combined with significant advances in forensic science, this funding
opened new avenues for identification,” the sheriff’s office said. 

In May 2026, utilizing investigative genetic genealogy and dental
records, the remains were positively identified as Gaston’s. 

“The Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau extends its sincere
appreciation to everyone whose dedication, expertise, and perseverance
made this identification possible,” officials said in a statement.
“Together, these efforts have ensured that Ms. Gaston has her name—and
her story—returned to her.” 

Remsen, who is now 83 years old, continues serving his life sentence at
the California Institution for Men in Chino. 

https://ktla.com/news/california/remainns-identified-missing-socal-millio
naire/