According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, skeletal remains found in Wonder Valley were positively identified as Erika Lloyd, 37, of Walnut Creek.
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, at approximately 9:37 a.m., deputies from the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station responded to the report of possible human remains located in a desert field ¼ mile east of the 5200 block of Danby Road in Wonder Valley. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the remains to be human.
Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division responded to the location and retrieved partial skeletal remains.
A Forensic Odontologist was able to identify the victim by using her dental records. The cause and manner of death are undetermined.
On June 17, 2020, Erika Ashley Lloyd was reported missing by her family. She was believed to be traveling to the Joshua Tree National Park and was last seen in person on Sunday, June 14th in the City of Walnut Creek. Deputies, Search and Rescue volunteers, Sheriff’s Aviation, and Park Rangers from the Joshua Tree National Park conducted numerous search operations in the weeks and months following her disappearance.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Michael Gardea, Specialized Investigations Division – Homicide Detail at (909)387-3589. Callers can remain anonymous and contact WeTip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
