Nine Cold Cases Could Still Be Solved

For more about the Napa County Cold Case Investigation Unit, see Cold Case Unit Investigates Unsolved Deaths.

Maxine Brewer: Brewer’s body was found on Nov. 18, 1975, on the bank of the Napa River north of Lincoln Avenue. Evidence indicated her death to be a homicide. She had been reported a missing person seven days prior to her body being discovered. Witnesses reported seeing Brewer, 43, alive four days prior to finding her body. The cause of her death is not being released.

Alvin and Faye Maddux: The bodies of the couple, both aged 72, were found murdered inside their residence in the 1000 block of Monticello Road on Feb. 15, 1976. They had been deceased for several days. There were no signs of forced entry to the home. The cause of death has not been released.

Elaine Lehtinen: On June 14, 1976, Lethinen was seen at her home in the 1500 block of Parkwood Street in Napa. She was a Navy officer assigned to Mare Island in Vallejo. Lehtinen did not show up for work the next day. Police officers checked her home and found her Navy uniform was laid out for work that day. Her personal items including her purse with keys were inside her residence. Her vehicle and bicycle were found in the garage. No notes were found in the home and there was no indication she was suicidal. Lehtinen has not been seen since.

Richard Baker: He was a car salesman for a dealership on Soscol Avenue in Napa. On Sept. 16, 1977, Baker gave a test drive of a 1977 Buick to a black male client. On Sept. 18, 1977, Baker’s body was found along the side of Wild Horse Valley Road. Evidence of foul play was found at the scene and his death was ruled as a homicide. The Buick was found abandoned in Napa. Baker was not seen after leaving for the test drive. The cause of death has not been released.

Henry “Ricky” Villanueva: On Sept. 5, 1981, Villanueva, 17, was driving a 1966 Buick through Napa. A white car occupied by two men was seen chasing Villanueva’s car near Soscol and Lincoln avenues. Later that night, Villanueva’s car was found crashed though a fence in the 500 block of Lincoln, near Silverado Trail. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots prior to the crash. Villanueva’s body was found at the crash site. He was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound.

Kerry Hoover: On March, 22, 1987, Hoover’s body was found in the bushes near the 30 block of Maria Drive, American Canyon. Hoover, 27, was last seen on March 21, in the same area with two black men. Hoover’s clothing was disheveled, and she died from foul play. Prior to her death, she had bought some items from Superfast at Highway 29 and Mini Drive. She left the store and was walking home the last time she was seen alive.

James Adams: Adams’ body was found on Aug. 26, 1990, in a business in the 600 block of Highway 29, American Canyon. He died of injuries during an assault at the business. The murder weapon was found near the murder scene. He was working as a mechanic at the time of his death.

Elisha Eittreim: She was last seen alive on Feb. 27, 1994, leaving a house in the 500 block of Brown Street enroute to a house in the 800 block of Patchett Street, both in Napa. She never arrived at her destination. She was going to stop at an ATM and a liquor store on her way to Brown Street. Eittreim, 21, had planned on meeting someone at 10 p.m. She had acquaintances with the homeless and frequented downtown Napa bars. She had no history of disappearing. Eittreim was supposed to be at work on Feb. 28, but never showed up.

Juan Baez-Arajo: On Feb. 4, 2007, Arajo was found unresponsive on the sidewalk near Main and Clinton streets. He had numerous injuries from an assault and later died from his injuries at the hospital. He was a transient with a history of alcoholism. Prior to his death, Arajo was seen on Brown Street drinking alcohol with others.

Source: Napa County Cold Case Investigation Unit