Carl Dan Claes was a 14-year-old boy from Lemon Heights, California, who was killed on May 16, 1995. Known as C.D., he enjoyed hockey, swimming and spending time with family and pets. His grandfather had bought him a DJ system after the family’s loss of Carl’s grandmother; Carl had lent that equipment to a group of local teenagers who had befriended him.

On May 16, 1995, when Carl attempted to retrieve the DJ system he had lent out, he was shot twice with a .22-caliber handgun. His body was found the next day on a dirt trail; he had bled to death. Three teenagers, ages 15, 16 and 17, who were known to Carl and involved in the dispute over the $2,500 system, were arrested shortly after the body was discovered and were charged with his murder. Trials concluded in 1997 with guilty findings for premeditated murder.

The case severely affected Carl’s mother, Danella, and his grandfather, who attended the trials and sentencing. Danella later worked with the California Attorney General’s Office on advocacy related to the case. Does anyone have memories of Carl or information about the teens who knew him that could add context to what happened?