Missing Laguna Hills Man Found Buried in Backyard

Investigators today confirmed they found human remains in the backyard of an Ontario home that is part of the search for a missing Laguna Hills trucker.

During a four-day search of a home in the 1700 block of South Palm Avenue that started Wednesday, investigators found "charred or burnt human remains," Ontario police Sgt. David McBride said.

The bone fragments and teeth were sent to the San Bernardino County Coroner's Office to determine if they are the remains of missing 28-year-old trucker Oscar Javier Contreras Escobar, McBride said.

In September, Orange County sheriff's investigators asked for the public's help in finding down Escobar, whom they believed was a victim of foul play.

Most of the significant evidence was found Friday in the backyard, McBride said.

Detectives said they didn't know if Escobar is alive or dead, but cadaver dogs from the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles Coroner's Office were brought to the property to search the backyard for human remains, McBride said.

Two men and a woman who were in the house when it was searched were questioned and released, McBride said.

Investigators were initially drawn to the Inland Empire because of "suspicious activity" on Escobar's bank card, McBride said.

But that's not what led investigators to the Ontario home, the sergeant said.

"Other investigative leads brought us here," McBride said.

Ontario police took charge of the case in November. So far, no arrests have been made, McBride said.

Escobar left his big rig in Victorville when he finished a trip from the East Coast on Aug. 28 and was dropped off near Foothill Boulevard and Mango Street in Fontana between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. to meet a woman friend, Orange County sheriff's deputies said.

Escobar sometimes stayed at motels in Fontana and spent time in the Inland Empire, investigators said. In July, he stayed at a motel on Sierra Avenue in Fontana.

Escobar was described as bald, about 5 feet 5 inches and 135 pounds, with brown eyes, a mustache and goatee. He was last seen in white T-shirt, brown cargo shorts and white Nike shoes.

 - City News Service