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Body Found in Car That Went Over Cliff Positively Identified as Palms Resident
Melvin Gelfand
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When David Lavau, 67, went tumbling off a cliff in his car several weeks ago, it was widely reported that he saw the decomposing body of another person in a car next to him. Yesterday, that car was identified as belonging to 88-year-old Melvin Gelfand of the Palms area, who had been missing for nearly three weeks.
Today, the Daily News reports that the body inside was positively ID'ed as Gelfand.
Gelfand had reportedly been missing since September 14. Lavau, who was rescued by his children after surviving for six days, went over the edge of the road on September 23, but authorities told the Daily news that they believe Gelfand's vehicle plummeted "long before" that date.
Both cars crashed in the 38000 block of Lake Hughes Road, which is known for having a sudden, dangerous curve in the road.
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