Missing Woman’s Body Discovered, Boyfriend Arrested

 
Los Angeles: On May 8, 2004, the remains of a decomposed human body was discovered by a transient near the I-10 Freeway and Gene Autry Trail, near Palm Springs, CA. Following forensic fingerprint examinations, the body was identified as that of 60 year-old Judy Carol Palmer of Reseda. The Riverside County Coroner’s Office has deferred the cause of death pending the results of additional testing.
Ms. Palmer had been involved in a volatile domestic relationship with her live in boyfriend, 43 year-old Paul Wesley Baker. Ms. Palmer had called the police on Baker on April 5, 2004, after he forced his way into her apartment and threatened her life. He was arrested and remained in custody until April 15, 2004.
Ms. Palmer was reported missing by her family when she did not appear at a pre-scheduled family meeting on April 18, 2004. The investigation has revealed that Baker had made several threats and had been stalking Ms. Palmer in the days preceding her disappearance.
Following the identification of Ms. Palmer’s remains, Los Angeles Police Department Detectives located and arrested Baker in Winnetka, CA on May 20, 2004. He has been booked for murder and is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Facility of the Los Angeles County Jail.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call West Valley Homicide Detectives at 818-342-0449. During off-hours and on weekends, please call the toll free 24-Hour number of the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).
This news release was prepared by Public Information Officer Rudy Villarreal, Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.