According to the certificate of death, the skull of Donna Lass was found 3.5 miles north of Interstate 80 as it passes near the Drum Canal crossing at Emigrant Gap and State Route 20. They are not specific in terms of "north", so I have been a little flexible with the three lines below, but all are 3.5 miles from Interstate 80 and sit within 2 miles west of Fuller Lake. This lake is accessed from State Route 20 by driving along Bowman Lake Road, which runs from Bear Valley Camp at Emigrant Gap to Fuller Lake. Constant maintenance work happens at Lake Spaulding and Fuller Lake because they are operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as part of its Drum-Spaulding hydroelectric system, so it isn't that surprising that workers from PG&E discovered the skull in a drainage ditch during their rounds.
Of course, we have no idea how much distance the skull has moved in the 16 years since Donna Lass was dumped in this area in 1970 (assuming it was shortly after she was murdered). The skull could have been disturbed by animal predation or water flow, but let us assume it was found in the approximate position it was placed by her killer. A drainage ditch would a viable method of concealment preferable to digging a fresh grave, although one must stress, not necessarily where her body was initially placed.
Of course, we have no idea how much distance the skull has moved in the 16 years since Donna Lass was dumped in this area in 1970 (assuming it was shortly after she was murdered). The skull could have been disturbed by animal predation or water flow, but let us assume it was found in the approximate position it was placed by her killer. A drainage ditch would a viable method of concealment preferable to digging a fresh grave, although one must stress, not necessarily where her body was initially placed.
FROM THE CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
A killer arriving at Fuller Lake by vehicle along Bowman Lake Road (probably at night) isn't realistically going to drag or carry a body over great distance negotiating rough terrain, he would more likely dispose of the body just a short distance from the road, which is shrouded in dense undergrowth either side. Whether or not the skull moved considerably over time, we have no way of knowing, but below is the approximate position it was found in 1986.
DONNA ANN LASS (25) By road from State Route 20 to the above location is about 4 miles in a vehicle, so somebody disposing of Donna Lass in this area after likely murdering her at her 3893 Pioneer Trail Road apartment (or close by), would have to travel 72 miles to Bear Valley Camp, then head 4 miles north along Bowman Lake Road (a 76 mile journey). This is an extraordinary distance to travel when so much dense underground, and numerous other remote locations exist along the way. Why not choose somewhere 10, 20 or 30 miles away?
One could argue that the murderer of Donna Lass knew well this location by Fuller Lake, and opted to dispose of her body in this region because he felt confident he was not going to be disturbed by the unknown. Maybe he was a PG&E worker, who understood the advantage of using a drainage ditch for concealment and the eradication of evidence. Another thing to consider, is that the least effort principle would be blown out of the park if the killer had lived in close proximity to Donna Lass. He would be obligating himself to a 152 mile round trip, with the greatest risk on the outbound journey. What is the possibility that the murderer of Donna Lase chose a deposition site he was familiar with, on his way home? Were there any "persons of interest" in the Donna Lass case who were residents of Placer County to the west of Lake Spaulding?
Two skulls and a jawbone were found in the area surrounding Lake Spaulding, so it's not out of the question that the murderer of Donna Lass had killed on more than one occasion. However, it must be remembered that the areas around Lake Tahoe are a popular dumping ground for nefarious individuals wishing to evade justice.
ADDITIONAL READING: TWO SKULLS WEST OF THE SIERRA CLUB
One could argue that the murderer of Donna Lass knew well this location by Fuller Lake, and opted to dispose of her body in this region because he felt confident he was not going to be disturbed by the unknown. Maybe he was a PG&E worker, who understood the advantage of using a drainage ditch for concealment and the eradication of evidence. Another thing to consider, is that the least effort principle would be blown out of the park if the killer had lived in close proximity to Donna Lass. He would be obligating himself to a 152 mile round trip, with the greatest risk on the outbound journey. What is the possibility that the murderer of Donna Lase chose a deposition site he was familiar with, on his way home? Were there any "persons of interest" in the Donna Lass case who were residents of Placer County to the west of Lake Spaulding?
Two skulls and a jawbone were found in the area surrounding Lake Spaulding, so it's not out of the question that the murderer of Donna Lass had killed on more than one occasion. However, it must be remembered that the areas around Lake Tahoe are a popular dumping ground for nefarious individuals wishing to evade justice.
ADDITIONAL READING: TWO SKULLS WEST OF THE SIERRA CLUB
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