Ronald Joshua Loureiro, 29, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility yesterday afternoon (Jan. 4, 2018) on charges of homicide and a parole hold. Loureiro is the suspect of the homicide that occurred on Highway 101 near Drydens Rd. in Orick around 11 a.m. on Jan. 4.
The victim of this homicide has been identified as 34-year-old Vernon James Weatherford. Weatherford’s autopsy is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2018.
This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.