But , 25 years later , the myths began to form . In 1879 , O. P. Stidger was reported to have heard Murrieta 's sister say that the displayed head was not her brother 's . At around the same time , numerous sightings were reported of Murrieta as an old man . These were never confirmed . His preserved head was destroyed during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Joaquin Murrieta