Thursday’s update from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said 31 missing person cases remain under investigation.
Officials said in a news release that as of Jan. 16, 43 missing persons cases had been reported to LASD’s Homicide Bureau Missing Persons Unit, and 12 of those cases had been safely located.
Twenty-four people remain missing from the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena and Pasadena, while seven people remain missing in connection with the Palisades Fire.
Officials announced that nine people who were reported missing were found in buildings destroyed by the Eaton fire, and four people were found in buildings destroyed by the Palisades fire.
Another 16 structures related to the ongoing missing persons case were searched by deputies with cadaver dogs and search and rescue teams, but no people or bodies were found.
Search dogs search a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Steven Lamb/San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press)
Additionally, two buildings destroyed in the Palisades fire are currently being searched in connection with missing person reports, officials said.
What we know about those who died in the Eaton, Palisades fire
“Human remains recovered during these searches will be examined by a medical examiner to ensure positive identification and provide clarity to the families of the missing persons,” the release states. “Homicide detectives will be in touch with the victim’s family to assist with the identification process.”
Officials added that the investigation remains fluid and active and that LASD remains committed to conducting a thorough homicide investigation and assisting those affected by the tragic fire.
Both wildfires started on Jan. 7 and have burned an estimated 23,713 acres in the Palisades, destroyed more than 10,000 structures, and are currently at 27% containment. The Eaton Fire destroyed more than 7,000 structures across 14,117 acres. The fire is 55% contained.
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