LAKE COUNTY ? Though Lakeport Police Department released the cremated remains of Barbara Gae LaForge to her adopted family in Jacksonville, Fla. in October 2008, the information about her ashes was under wraps as the unsolved murder investigation progressed.
Barbara LaForge, 43, was brutally murdered, shot four times at close range, on Oct. 8, 2002, in broad daylight on Lakeport”s Main Street in her frame shop, seven years ago.
“While we were searching for evidence we came upon the remains,” Lt. Brad Rasmussen said. Rasmussen said the ashes were found in an abandoned storage locker in Kelseyville.
Detectives Destry Henderson and Lou Riccardi are the investigators in the LaForge case.
The discovery of the ashes occurred before Riccardi and Henderson took on the case. The ashes were discovered in March 2008.
“Based on the manner in which the remains were left, we took possession of the ashes, seized them and they were within our legal possession,” Rasmussen said.
“We made the decision to turn the ashes over to her (LaForge”s) adopted family in Jacksonville, Florida.” Rasmussen said. “We were aware of her early wishes in life that she be put to rest in Florida where her father was buried.”
Riccardi said that LaForge”s wish to be put to rest in Florida was in one of her wills.
Riccardi and Henderson continue to interview people on a regular basis. Advanced forensic testing is well under way as the detectives continue to follow leads and examine documentation and evidence. Several items of evidence were submitted to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) forensic laboratory for re-examination.
Detectives Riccardi and Henderson want to keep the community fully-engaged in this case to gather more information about the homicide. “Anonymous tips are welcome,” Henderson said.
A $50,000 reward is offered for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of the person(s) responsible for killing LaForge.
Dateline NBC cameras have followed the detectives documenting and chronicling the active investigation of the homicide.
The Lakeport Police Department encourages anyone with information to contact them.
“We need the involvement of the community with this investigation,” Rasmussen said.
Anyone with information should e-mail, laforgehomicide@lakeportpolice.org or call 263-5491.
