Backyard Dig in Glendora Cold Case Yields No New Evidence

Investigators wrapped up their search in a Glendora backyard Thursday evening without finding new evidence in the reopened case of Wendy Byron, a 24-year-old Glendora woman who disappeared in 1978.

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Homicide detective Lt. Holly Francisco would not disclose why investigators chose to focus their search in the home in the 500 block of Essex St, only that Glendora Police asked the Homicide Division to assist in the reopened case using new search technology that was not available 35 years ago.

The home was the former residence of Byron, who shared the house with her then husband, Robert. Investigators in the original investigation 35 years ago suspected foul play in Wendy Byron’s disappearance, but she was never declared dead. Her car was found abandoned at Ontario Airport shortly after her disappearance.

Robert Byron currently lives in Covina. He declined to comment when Glendora Patch approached him for comment regarding the reopened investigation.

The current owners of the Byrons’ former home are not involved in the case, according to detectives.

Investigators in the reopened case used bulldozers, sonar equipment to scour the backyard ground and cadaver dogs during the search, but no new clues were discovered.

Detectives say they will continue their investigation into Byron’s disappearance, but do not plan to return to the house for the investigation.