Jordan, a studenta at Los Gatos High School at the time, was treated as a missing person by law enforcement officials in Santa Cruz County—his place of residence—and those in town at the time have few recollections of the disappearance.

"At that time, we had kids who did run away," said retired Los Gatos High Principal Ted Simonson. "As far as the high school was concerned, that was just a kid who walked away and didn't come back."

But since bones found on Los Gatos Creek Trail were identified in March as being Jordan's remains, the investigation has picked up momentum, culminating in the arrest last week of a man in Oregon.

Sean Viehweg, 38, was a friend and classmate of Jordan. He was taken into custody in Klamath Falls, Ore., and charged with one count of homicide.

Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Police Sgt. Tim Morgan will not comment on the circumstances of Jordan's death—how he died, if substance abuse was involved, or whether there was a motive—but he said the remains found were intact, countering Klamath Falls rumors that "his head and hands had been cut off" to thwart identification of the body. "That is not the case," Morgan said.

Viehweg, currently unemployed and living with his wife and 3-year-old daughter, was a senior in May of 1982. Rumors had circulated around the school that something had happened between Viehweg and Jordan, but nobody believed it, Morgan said.

It wasn't until the positive identification on the remains was made that a Bay Area man, in the same circle of friends, came forward. "The person did not realize in fact that Russell had been a murder victim," Morgan said.

Based on interviews, Morgan and Det. Randy Bishop traveled to Eureka and then to Klamath Falls on May 7 and arrested Viehweg. "We had probable cause," Bishop said. "He waived extradition, and he came back with us."

Police have contacted Jordan's father, who no longer lives in California. He was "very happy," Morgan said, but "wishes not to be bothered" by the public. Jordan's mother has died.

"It gives personal satisfaction to see justice done," Morgan said.

With the new lead on Jordan's case, Morgan said there are still a handful of unsolved homicides in town.