After 30 years of searching, man found in Bangkok charged with murder in California worker's disappearance

"The owner of an Ontario noodle company who was sought for 30 years in the disappearance of an employee has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge after being extradited from Thailand, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said Monday, Jan. 26. Luis Garcia, who worked for Woravit Mektrakarn, was last seen on Nov. 23, 1996, when he was believed to have met Mektrakarn to receive a payment in what the DA's Office described as a financial agreement."

"Mektrakarn left the United States shortly after that date and lived under an assumed name between Burma and Cambodia for nearly 30 years, the news release said. In 2024, he was arrested by the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok at the request of U.S. authorities while living under an alias and in disguise. On Jan. 16, 2026, Mektrakarn was extradited and escorted to San Bernardino by the U.S. Marshals Service."

"It was unclear on Monday how Mektrakarn was discovered, how he managed to elude authorities and what sort of work he did while on the lam. The Southern California News Group is seeking those details and others, such as what sort of disguise the fugitive was wearing when caught. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing justice, no matter how much time has passed, District Attorney Jason Anderson wrote in the news release."

Woravit Mektrakarn, owner of an Ontario noodle company, was sought for nearly 30 years in the disappearance of employee Luis Garcia. Garcia was last seen Nov. 23, 1996, believed to have met Mektrakarn to receive a payment under a financial agreement. Mektrakarn left the United States shortly after and lived under an assumed name in Burma and Cambodia. Royal Thai Police arrested him in Bangkok in 2024 while he used an alias and disguise; he was extradited to San Bernardino on Jan. 16, 2026. A judge entered a not-guilty plea on Jan. 20. He is held without bail and next appears Feb. 17. Authorities have not disclosed how he was discovered or his activities while on the run.

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