Prosecutors: Incriminating Letter Suggests Sacramento Father Kidnapped
TL/DR –
Ray Wright, a 55-year-old man, disappeared in January 2018 in Sacramento, leaving his family and investigators puzzled. Investigators later found his truck with his blood stains; they also found a soda cup left by an intruder in his house that led to a DNA match with Victor Gray. After a three-year investigation, Gray and another man, Robert “Bob” Manor, were charged and found guilty of Wright’s kidnapping and murder, with both sentenced to life in prison without parole, despite Wright’s body never being found.
Missing Person Ray Wright’s Disappearance
The sudden disappearance of Ray Wright left his family distraught and investigators perplexed. Ray Wright had vanished without a trace, causing great distress to his daughters, Kennedy Wright and Haley Kendall, and his ex-wife, Peggy Wright. The situation took a turn in January 2018, when Ray Wright was mysteriously abducted.
The Abduction of Ray Wright
On January 13, 2018, Ray Wright’s brother, Dean, encountered an intruder in Ray’s house. A suspicious soda cup that the intruder left behind was collected as evidence. While investigations were ongoing, Wright’s family initiated their own search for him.
Discovery of Ray Wright’s Truck
Ray Wright’s abandoned truck was found on January 21, 2018, with its stereo and license plates removed. Brown stains found in the truck were later identified as Wright’s blood. On January 27, 2018, police apprehended Victor Gray following a high-speed chase. Gray’s license plate bore a registration sticker belonging to Ray Wright.
The Link to Ray Wright
On April 3, 2018, DNA from the soda cup found in Wright’s home was matched to Victor Gray. Further investigations led to the discovery of a treasure trove of evidence in Gray’s van, including Wright’s personal items and a blood-stained jacket.
The Connection to “Bob”
In Gray’s phone, investigators found text messages and a photo of a handwritten letter addressed to someone named “Bob”. Investigators believe that the letter referred to kidnapping Ray Wright and delivering him to Bob.
Identifying “Kalifornia Katie”
Eventually, the woman referred to as “Kalifornia Katie” was identified as Katie Barnard. She admitted to being Gray’s lookout and stated that Gray had delivered Wright to Robert “Bob” Manor, a man Wright had injured in a drunk driving accident years prior.
Arrests and Trial
On October 8, 2018, Victor Gray and Robert Manor were charged with Ray Wright’s kidnapping and murder. During their trial in March 2023, they pleaded not guilty but were later found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Seeking Information about Ray Wright’s Whereabouts
Despite these developments, Ray Wright’s body has never been found. His disappearance remains an open missing person’s case with the Rocklin Police Department. Anyone with information about Ray Wright’s whereabouts is asked to contact Rocklin Police at (916) 625-5400.
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