[Updated] Human Remains Found in Altadena, Eaton Fire Death Toll Rises to 19

“God Bless Beautiful Altadena” (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (DME) confirmed the discovery of human remains in Altadena on Tuesday, bringing the death toll from recent wildfires across the region to 31.

By News Desk

The DME’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT) was dispatched to the 10 block of La Venezia Court, where investigators determined the remains to be human. The case has been assigned Medical Examiner number 2025-11669 and is currently classified as Unidentified Doe #431. Posts on social media stated that Juan Espinoza was reported missing on the block by neighbors from the very beginning. Based on comments on others’ posts, there was an attempt to locate him then, but it wasn’t very thorough, and neighbors had to push for him to be formally reported as missing.

This discovery follows a series of devastating wildfires across Los Angeles County, including the Eaton Fire, which has claimed 19 lives, and the Palisades Fire, which has resulted in 12 fatalities.

Confirmed deceased individuals from Altadena include:

1. Oswald Altmetz, 75 – 30 Blk W Pine, Altadena (CT 4603.01)
2. Carolyn Burns, 56 – 800 Blk E Sacramento, Altadena (CT 4611)
3. Edwin Cridland, 94 – 200 Blk Wapello, Altadena (CT 4602)
4. Dalyce Curry, 95 – 3000 Blk Krenz Ave., Altadena (CT 4603.01)
5. Kevin Devine, 54 – 900 Blk Boston St., Altadena (CT 4612)
6. Miva Wheatley Friedli, 93 – 80 Blk W Mariposa, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
7. Erliene Kelley, 83 – 3200 Blk Tonia, Altadena (CT 4602)
8. Barbara Lewis, 84 – 20 Blk E Palm, Altadena (CT 4602)
9. Evelyn McClendon, 59 – 100 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
10. Patricia McKenna, 77 – 500 Blk Punahou, Altadena (CT 4602)
11. Anthony Mitchell, 67 – 100 Blk W Terrace, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
12. Justin Mitchell, 35 – 100 Blk W Terrace, Altadena (CT 4603.02)
13. Rodney Nickerson, 82 – 300 Blk Pine Dr., Altadena (CT 4602)
14. Victor Shaw, 66 – 3400 Blk Monterosa, Altadena (CT 4602)
15. Lora Swayne, 71 – 500 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
16. Kimberly Winiecki, 77 – 100 Blk E Las Flores, Altadena (CT 4602)
17. Zhi Feng Zhao, 84 – 3200 Blk Tonia, Altadena (CT 4602)
18. Stacey Darden, 54 – 2500 Blk Marengo Ave, Altadena (CT 4611)
19. Unidentified Individual – 10 block of La Venezia Court

Authorities are continuing their investigation and efforts to identify the most recently discovered remains. No further details have been released at this time.

[This article has been updated to include information from social media and reports from neighbors.]