Full Notification

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is releasing information about a homicide that occurred in Santa Barbara County in September of 2012.  Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the case and the sensitive nature of the investigation, details have not been released until now. Sheriff’s detectives have determined that 55-year-old Peter D’Orazio of Goleta was likely murdered in Santa Barbara County and was transported to a remote area of North Las Vegas in a large storage bin where he was left.  The Sheriff’s Office continues to actively investigate this case and recently assigned additional investigators to follow new leads.

Mr. D’Orazio was last seen alive at his place of employment on September 6, 2012 at approximately 4:30 p.m. when he clocked out for the day.  Mr. D’Orazio worked at ExxonMobil north of Goleta as a fugitive emissions specialist. On September 13, 2012, his work reported him missing to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and a missing persons report was filed.  The next day, September 14, 2012, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada that a body found in North Las Vegas on September 11, 2012 was Mr. D’Orazio.

Sheriff’s detectives traveled to Nevada where they met with North Las Vegas Police Department detectives who were handling the case.  They learned that a passerby on September 11, 2012 had discovered the large storage bin with a body inside in an undeveloped area near the intersection of Rossmoyne and Revere.  An autopsy was performed on D’Orazio but the cause of death is not being released due to the ongoing investigation.  Sheriff’s detectives assisted North Las Vegas Police detectives on the case until evidence revealed that the crime likely occurred in Santa Barbara County.  At that point, Sheriff’s detectives took over the case.

Sheriff’s detectives believe D’Orazio was an innocent victim. They are determined to solve this heinous crime and bring his family closure.  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Anonymous Tip-line at 805-681-4171.