Body found in river identified as missing Lompoc teen

February 6, 2023

Alberto Rafael Cabrera Corona

By KAREN VELIE

Officials identified the body found Sunday in the Santa Ynez River as missing 14-year-old Alberto Cabrera Corona of Lompoc.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 27, Corona was with two friends when the car he was driving became stuck in the mud west of Lompoc. As the three teens walked back to the city, they argued over which way they should head.

Corona then headed northbound while his friends walked eastbound.

After Corona did not return home, his parents reported him missing.

On Sunday afternoon, two adults in kayaks discovered Cabrera’s body along the Santa Ynez River west of Lompoc.


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Yeeeaaaaahhhh. Given the not totally law abiding nature of Lompoc as of late…


A 14 year old driving a car, gets stuck in the mud, west of the city. Now, anyone who has ever been to the west of Lompoc, knows you can easily see the town from, almost, to Surf. Not to mention, any mud near where you can drive, plus the river, is in a rather narrow valley that only goes east to west. There really isn’t any debate which way to go. If Corona decided to go north, he would have been climbing the hills into Vandenberg SB, or toward the prison.


Anyone living in Lompoc for more than a week, knows about the Space Base, and knows where the prison is. They would also likely know that the river goes through town, from the east, to the west and ocean.


Let’s just say, I don’t believe the story as apparently told by the other two companions. I suspect something a bit more nefarious, and the two boys know what it is.


The car he was driving? I have more questions.


Far too young. Very sad outcome. Condolences to Alberto’s family and friends.