Chris Dorner investigation: Charred remains positively identified as Chris Dorner

YUCAIPA, Calif.

Positive identification was made through dental examination in the autopsy. Dorner's driver's license and some other personal effects were found with the body, authorities said.

With Dorner's death confirmed, the LAPD has now ended special security details for law enforcement officers named in the suspected murderer's manifesto. The media has been asked not to contact those officers.

Also on Thursday, the Riverside Police Department identified the officer who was wounded in a shooting with Dorner Feb. 7. Andrew Tachias, 27, was born in West Covina and earned his bachelor's degree at UC Riverside. Tachias had only been with the department for about two months when the shooting happened. A funeral for Tachias's partner, Michael Crain, was held Wednesday.

The manhunt for the fugitive former LAPD officer came to a fiery end on Tuesday after making a last stand in an Angelus Oaks mountain cabin.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is defending the decision to use pyrotechnic tear gas, saying it was a tactic designed to end a barricade situation.

"We did not intentionally burn down that cabin to get Mr. Dorner out," said Sheriff John McMahon.

But when authorities tossed pyrotechnic tear gas canisters, known as "burners," into the cabin, it caught fire. Officers were heard over the scanners as the plan went into play.

"Seven burners deployed and we have a fire," a deputy was heard saying.

The decision to use tear gas came after a deadly shootout that killed 35-year-old Detective Jeremiah MacKay and wounded Deputy Alexander Collins.

"It's sad to lose an officer, especially when people talk so badly about the police and what they do," said Sheila Carlson of Yucaipa. "They fight every day for us."

MacKay was a 15-year veteran of the sheriff's department. He leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-month-old son. Funeral arrangements for MacKay are being finalized on Thursday.

Investigators say Dorner fled to Angelus Oaks from Big Bear, where he may have been hiding since last Thursday.

Jim and Karen Reynolds say they encountered Dorner inside a unit at the Mountain Vista Resort on Tuesday. The complex is across the street from Bear Mountain ski resort, where law enforcement had set up a command post.

The Reynolds say the cabin was thought to be empty since last Thursday. While authorities aren't saying when Dorner actually went in, Jim Reynolds has his own ideas.

"There were no footprints going in or out, so he was there before the snow started," he said.

Which means Dorner was there at least by last Thursday night or early Friday morning.

"I don't believe that there (was) anybody in there on Thursday," said San Bernardino County Deputy Chief Steve Kovensky.

Sheriff's deputies would not comment if every home in the area had been searched when they were doing door-to-door checks.

Meanwhile, Dorner's ex-girlfriend spoke out Thursday for the first time since his death.

"I don't think it's any way justifiable someone going out and killing anyone because they're stressed out at work, there are ways and outlets of releasing stress," she said. "Chris, unfortunately, was one of those people. He bottled up his emotions and he wasn't very good at expressing himself," she said.

Service arragements for San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay are expected to be announced Friday. The $1 million reward for Dorner might also be addressed. Eyewitness News has also learned that a joint service for /*Monica Quan*/ and her fiance /*Keith Lawrence*/ will be held on Feb. 24.

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