In a remarkable breakthrough, the Orange County Sheriff's Department has finally identified a John Doe homicide victim who was discovered nearly 49 years ago as Michael Ray Schlicht, a teenager from Cedar Rapids. The long-standing mystery surrounding his death has now been resolved, bringing closure to his family and shedding light on a chilling series of homicides.

The tragic events unfolded on September 14, 1974, when the lifeless body of a teenage male was found near an off-road area. At the time, authorities determined his death to be accidental, attributing it to a combination of alcohol and diazepam intoxication. Sadly, the young victim had passed away 3 to 5 days prior to the discovery, leaving investigators struggling to establish his identity.

However, in 1980, the Orange County Homicide investigators stumbled upon a series of young male deaths in 1978, which shared similar characteristics to the earlier case. These deaths were classified as homicides, raising suspicions and prompting a closer examination.

The investigation took a dramatic turn in 1983, with the arrest of Randy Steven Kraft, infamously known as the "Scorecard Killer." Kraft was apprehended after a routine traffic stop, during which a deceased male was discovered in the front passenger seat of his vehicle. To the shock of authorities, a trunk search revealed a coded list that was believed to contain the names of as many as 67 victims. John Doe, the unidentified teenager found in 1974, was believed to be one of Kraft's earliest victims.

Following a trial, Randy Steven Kraft was ultimately convicted of 16 murders and sentenced to death. Presently, he resides in San Quentin State Prison, paying for the horrifying crimes he committed.

Yet, the identification of Michael Ray Schlicht was a breakthrough for the investigators. In November 2022, tissue samples from John Doe were submitted to a private forensic biotechnology company, aiming to develop a DNA profile. After months of meticulous work on the genealogy database, investigators managed to identify the potential grandparents of the victim.

Progress was further made by obtaining a DNA sample from a woman believed to be the mother of John Doe. This crucial piece of evidence allowed investigators to definitively confirm that the John Doe victim was indeed Michael Ray Schlicht, a teenager from Cedar Rapids.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department promptly notified the family members of Michael, providing them with the closure and validation they had been seeking for almost five decades. Plans are now underway to install a headstone at Michael's final resting place, honoring his memory and marking the resolution of this tragic case.

While this significant breakthrough brings some closure, investigators are not resting on their laurels. With new information in hand, they continue to work diligently on Michael's case, appealing to the public for any additional information that could aid in their investigation.

Anyone with relevant information related to this case is encouraged to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or visit crimestoppers.org. The diligent efforts of the authorities, combined with public support, can help ensure that justice is fully served, and no stone is left unturned in bringing all those involved in Michael's untimely demise to account.