They were such bad parents that, had this case been properly investigated, their lack of stewardship over Justin would have led directly to capital murder convictions, a punishment which had been re-instated in 1977. Gamberg also knew the two boys. The California Department of Justice was immediately given the case and then didnt follow through, said Gamberg. Justin Smartt Eason, 12, one of three boys left alive in a second bedroom, was allowed to spend the night. "I knew the two boys who were murdered. Sheila's 12-year-old sister Tina was missing from the scene but her remains were found at a different time. If anyone has information concerning a cold case, please contact Victoria Metcalf at 283-0800 or [emailprotected], or contact the Plumas County Sheriffs Office at 283-6300 with tips or leads on active cases. "Whoever did this and there was more than one person had to have blood all over them," said Doug Thomas, who was the Plumas County sheriff at the time of the murder and led the investigation. Keddie28 reported Sharp immediately fled the cabin and ran to the neighbors for help. This murder is shrouded in mystery, leaving behind a messy and compelling trail of clues. When Tina's remains were first found in 1984, on the third anniversary of the murders, her skull was unidentified. As I stood there, fighting to breathe, I couldnt help but think of Dana Wingate, and how she had been strangled to death in the house. People: 5 Things to Know about the Keddie Cabin Murders and the New Hunt for the Killers. The Keddie Cabin murders was a case that involved a triple-slaying as well as a missing child whose remains were later discovered. The one he missed or more accurately wasnt allowed to cover was the Keddie murder case, he said recently. Sue was covered by a yellow blanket; her hands and feet were bound by electrical wiring. Living far away from Keddie, Sheila felt a growing hopelessness that someone would ever be made to answer for what happened to her family. ", "To have this solved would finally give my family some closure, some answers as to why it happened and why it took so long to solve," Sheila says. Its known that John Sharp, and his friend Dana were in Quincy and caught a ride home sometime between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., Gamberg said. Some of the evidence was ignored. Locals describe it as a beautiful woodsy town, one with a strong sense of community. How This Serial Killer Was Brought Down By The Same App He Used To Hunt For Victims Jade Townsend The case that took 44 years to be solved: Arlis Perry Fatim Hemraj Mom Attends Birthday Party, Finds Daughter Who Died in House Fire as a Baby Jayden Yugie This Gold-Digger Turned Grave-Digger Lured Men to thier Deaths Help Status Writers Blog Careers "I was told the suspects were told to get out of town, so to me that means it was covered up," Sharp said. more. The three other children present in a second bedroom escaped physical harm. The only way this decision by DOJ makes sense is in considering the background of one of the suspects. Its here he would roll up his sleeves and begin going through the evidence. Both Hagwood and Gamberg said residents had very little trust or confidence in the sheriffs department before the murders. Blood spatters were found on the floor and ceiling suggesting the kind of forced used. Students should, County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero announced today that Plumas will be continuing its closure due to snow except for, The snow keeps falling and our readers keep finding moments to share some of levity, others of some serious, Plumas Unified School District and Plumas Charter School announced this afternoon that there will be no school on Wednesday, March. "She was a kind and loving mother who was doing her very best to raise five children alone. Subscribe now to PEOPLE, or pick up this week's issue, on newsstands now, for more on this case. Those who were inside Cabin 28 the night and/or early morning hours of April 11 and 12, 1981, were somewhat prepared, according to Gamberg. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! Echoes Of Grisly Murders Will Find A Way To Haunt You At This Abandoned California Resort, True Horror: Beware Angry Spirits At This Richmond Swimming Pool, Paranormal Lies: Theyll Tell You Not to Be Afraid At This Berkeley Park, Your Truest Nightmare: Demons Crave Companionship At This Nortonville Hill, Supernatural Child Checks into the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal. Tina's (the sister whose body was not found in the cabin) skull had been found due to an anonymous tip called into the police on the. DOJ sent two men, special agents Harry Bradley and P.A. "My mother's kindness and grace also extended beyond her own family, which may have ultimately been her downfall.". Gamberg is having professionals analyze the tape recording comparing that male voice to recorded voices of others identified as potential or known suspects. ", "It's obviously a worthwhile pursuit," he says. Victims,. 2. "There were some theories that [Marty's friend] Boubede was involved, and there was some theories that some other people in Keddie were involved," Thomas said. Gamberg further tracked down a therapist in Reno, Nev., to whom Marty allegedly confessed after the killings and who told Gamberg he was shocked to learn that investigators at the time didn't use that confession to solve the crimes. Just as important, Gamberg and Hagwood wonder if they've also recovered another of the murder weapons. The Scene Suggests More Than One Killer. Keddie Cabin Murders Solved? Great. The Primary Suspects Are Dead But Authorities Are Still Pursuing Justice, 3. Defensive injuries would be discovered on her arms. Some even believed the furniture moved around by itself. "For the record, she was none of these things," Sheila wrote. She ultimately settled into the small town of Keddie nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains only five miles. While the crime was being reported, Jamie Seabolt, Sheila Sharp and possibly Zonita Seabolt helped the three young boys out a side bedroom window of the cabin. It was an emotional experience, but it didnt reach its peak until after I got home. Meredith Corporation. The bodies of Sue, John, and Dana were found on the morning of April 12 by Sue's 14-year-old daughter, Sheila, who had been sleeping at a friend's house. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Every bit of evidence that can still be recovered is important to this case, according to Gamberg as he continues to search for leads and re-interviews anyone linked to the Keddie murders. Investigators believe it was no random call, as it came on the three-year anniversary of the killings. Hagwood's mother was a teacher who had Tina in class. Some also consider Marilyn a conspirator as well. Brenda Brown, Ryan Becker, 2020 "Murder in California: Serial Killers and Unsolved Murders", Marques Vickers, 2019; References This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 06:27 (UTC). This includes the living room carpet, wallboard and other items marked with blood and other potential evidence. I felt this strong pressure on my throat. He was also familiar with Cabin 28 in Keddie. If someone confessed in 1981 why is it still unsolved? Along with special agents Crim and Bradley, Spiro Vasos, a finger print expert, and Bruce Palmer, an evidence expert, also arrived from DOJ. Sue's 12-year-old daughter Tina was taken from the cabin, but her decomposed remains wouldn't be found for another three years. Episode Info "But do I really want to remember?". The two say they've zeroed in on longtime suspects, and they believe they've discovered new evidence and re-discovered old evidence that was either forgotten or overlooked that could point to a resolution. There is not an expiration date on homicides, and to the extent that we have surviving siblings and family members, it is our fundamental obligation to them to understand who did this and why, Hagwood said in 2016. "But rarely did I speak to the family about it. What occurred next shocked the country: The Disturbing Murders at Keddie Cabin . Gamberg still had strong opinions about what had and hadnt happened 32 years earlier. Crim from the divisions organized crime unit not from homicide to investigate. She was spending the night at a friend's house on the night of the murders and came home to find the bodies. The problem there is that its become disorganized. Even his leads in the case were ignored. CBS13 was there when Sheila was shown the hammer and a knife that may also be connected to the crimes. Hes also shared some important information with the Plumas County Sheriffs Office. All three victims at the crime scene had been bound with medical and . Teacher * Psychology * Unsolved Crime * Forensics * Mystery * Animal Lover * Fashion * Southern California. They looked through every box in connection with the case and found a recording of a man believed to be one of the killers, or at the very least an accomplice. Since 2013, Gamberg has followed the evidence that should have been investigated 37 years earlier. Sue Sharp was the mother of five beautiful children. It was April 11, 1981 when Sheila Sharp, 14, opened the door to her familys two-bedroom cabin and discovered the bodies of her mother, older brother and family friend in the small living room. "They covered it up, is the way it sounds," Gamberg said. They had died. It became a top priority when Hagwood took over several years ago and he hired Gamberg to focus on the murders. Keddie Cabin Murders Solved? The three were tied up, bludgeoned and stabbed to death. Also, the murders had nothing to do with Dana, or John, or Tina. She'd spent the night at a friend's cabin next door to her family's cabin 28 in Keddie and was returning home on the morning of April 12, 1981, when she discovered the unimaginable. Thats when Hagwood asked Gamberg, a private investigator, if hed like to take over the investigation. Sue Sharp was found lying very close to the sofa. Editors note: This story contains information that some readers might find unsettling or objectionable. And wasnt Justin 12 when this happened? Sheila Sharp has purposefully pushed the horrific images out of her mind. What hadn't been discovered until last month was a hammer that's believed to be one of the murder weapons. The Keddie Murders Revisited Plumas County Sheriff's Office Probable murder weapons for the Keddie slaying discovered and submitted as evidence in 2016. DNA deoxyribonucleic acid is now considered the most reliable physical evidence. * Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? "Not knowing where she'd been for three years, or even what happened to her, it's been really, really tough.". rice farms in northern california. The freezer got turned off, Gamberg said. "The fascinating aspect of that discovery is that the envelope had never been opened," Hagwood said. He was lying face up with his blood-covered hands bound together securely with medical tape. I taught Dana Wingate that year at the highschool. I could ask a hundred people what started this and Id probably get the same rehashed rumors from most of them. Despite a thorough investigation and numerous suspects, the case remains unsolved to this day, leaving many questions unanswered and a small community in shock. A bent steak knife lay on the floor, and a butcher knife and claw hammer, both also bloodied, were side-by-side on a small wooden table near the entry into the kitchen. "She's a hard one to talk about," Sheila says. "If a case needs to be pinned there," Hagwood told PEOPLE at the time, "we'll pin it. The most widely accepted theory involves a love triangle between Martin, Marilyn, and Sue. That includes the possible mishandling of evidence Hagwood and Gamberg were determined to find. I just stood there, staring at the spot when I thought I heard someone walking behind me, Kendall said. My reasons are simple: there is no evidence tying either of these men to the murders. And also, as I'm growing older, what can I expect in my later years? He wonders if DOJ protected him. We still have to live on without our loved ones. Another person of interest also lived in Butte County. she says. Public File for KMAX-TV / Good Day Sacramento. Backpackerverse.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Gamberg and Hagwood reiterated their position that a resolution was imminent in a 2021 interview on the anniversary of the murders, saying that they were "close" to solving the case. Go to PEOPLE.com/PEN, or download the app for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Xumo, Chromecast, Xfinity, iOS and Android devices. The hope is the new evidence will lead to new arrests. Decades after the horrific incident, there is still significant public interest in the unsolved case. In 1981, the gruesome murder of four in Cabin 28 of the Keddie Resort in Northern California has long been unsolved.or has it?. Severin John Bo Boubede, Smartts friend. The footfalls stopped close to me for a moment, but then started up again, moving closer to where the cabin had been. "I want to remember the happy times," she says. A bent steak knife was found on the floor, and a bloody butcher knife and claw hammer were found on a small wooden table near the entryway to the kitchen. Unsolved in California: The Case of the Keddie Cabin Murders January 12, 2022 / Jamie Day The little town of Keddie California lies nestled in the mountains to the north-eastern part of the state in Plumas County. But because the aunt already had several children, the Sharp kids were eventually placed in foster care first together and later apart. She has never surrendered her hope the case would be solved, if only to rescue her family's reputation and by extension her own. "I stayed in the cabin probably a dozen times," he said. At one point, Thomas did say he gave one session of advice to the couple but it was before the murders. "Dana was at my house the day before the homicide," he said. Although Smartt and Boubede fled Plumas County shortly after interviews with DOJ, its known that Smartt allegedly lived in Paradise at the time of that phone call, according to dmacs research. Didnt he admit to covering Glenna Sue? Although its been a mystery as to who gave the two teens a ride home, Gamberg has identified the individual and has interviewed her. And Ive seen speculation being treated as fact over the years, even when it can be discredited by the facts that get ignored. * Stream our true crime show, People Magazine Investigates on Investigation Discovery, which includes an episode on the Keddie cabin murders. Special investigator Mike Gamberg took us back to where that hammer was found near the crime scene and just a stone's throw away from the cabin where investigators strongly believe the killers were staying at the time of the murders. Some of the evidence was placed in a freezer to preserve it. He had known connections with organized crime in Chicago.Boubede also had at least two known aliases as Bobby Lake and John DeSantis, according to the Keddie 28 online site administrator dmac. "I have always talked about the situation," Sheila says. Amazingly, Sheila's two little brothers, Greg and Rick, then 5 and 10, were asleep and unharmed in an adjacent bedroom, along with a friend. Gamberg said he has hunches about what happened to it, but it hasnt been recovered. And I have every confidence that they either participated after the fact or they have first-hand information Its obviously a worthwhile pursuit. Their bodies were found by Shiela Sharp, who, unlike the rest of her family, had slept at a friend's house next door. But the unsolved murders of a woman, two teenage boys and a girl still haunted him. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. With the killings of her family members, "I didn't have the big brother to look up to, and I lost my only sister, and we were close," Sheila says. The anonymous caller said he was watching the news about the discovery at Feather Falls down Highway 70 from Keddie. I guess it was the mother in me trying to keep them safe.". just one thing re the headline: you want grisly, not grizzly. Sheila herself hopes the case will be solved. Main Street Artists Gallery puts the work of two artists in the spotlight for March Debbie Kercmar Boyd and, FRC is joining Plumas County and Plumas Unified School District, with campus remaining closed on Wednesday, March 1st. Dana suffered multiple head injuries and was manually strangled. In it, he describes a body found in connection with the Keddie murders. He accepted the job and the challenge of following the evidence and leads that still existed. He was a sweetheart of a kid. The tape was never admitted into evidence, and it was in fact found at the bottom of a box. He was also familiar with Cabin 28 in Keddie. They said I said it was Johnny. By. On April 12, 1981, a group of 7 people went to sleep in Cabin 28 at the Keddie Resort Lodge in California. "There are people locally who know more than they've said," Hagwood told PEOPLE, "and I believe we've identified some of them, and we know who they are, and we know where they are. Its also believed medical tape was brought along, and theres some evidence that an 880 BB or pellet rife was there, but was not recovered at the scene. As a martial arts instructor at the time, he taught both Johnny and Dana, and says Dana was at his home the day before he died. That should shut a lot of traps, and destroy many of the rumors that have floated around for 37 years. Its known that Sue Sharp was home with her daughter Tina, 12, and her two sons, Rickey, 9, and Greg, 5. KEDDIE (CBS13) Investigators believe they may have found one of the weapons used in a 35-year-old murder mystery. Keddie murders: Keddie: 1981-04-11: 4: . Smartt would have been in his early 30s at the time of the Keddie murders. In 1981, the gruesome murder of four in Cabin 28 of the Keddie Resort in Northern California has long been unsolvedor has it? What else do you want?". "I am not by nature a conspiracy theorist but there are facts and circumstancesthe number and the nature of whichI can't ignore anymore," he said. ", "But then it's also, I think, made me stronger," she says, "because I've had to look out for my two younger brothers. A fourth victim, Tina, was missing. The girl's skull was found in the woods three years later, some 50 miles away in another county. It was just left scattered. Updated 2/11/2020 Sue Sharp, her son John and his friend Dana were found in the Sharp family cabin beaten and strangled to death in the family room. Gamberg shared the contents of the tape with People magazine in 2016 when it featured the crime in two magazines and in a news documentary aired on CBS. Advertiser Disclosure: Backpackerverse.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. Sheila tells PEOPLE that Sue would have been 71 this year, at the end of March. That night I dreamt of a young girl, walking around the empty site. And 2022 could be the year this murder finally gets solved. It sounded within two feet of me, but nobody was around. Just three years after reopening the case, Gamberg was talking to the media about new evidence that was recovered namely a hammer that matches one Smartt said went missing before the murders, and a hunting knife, recovered in Keddie. Growing up in Taylorsville, Kendall (Name changed for privacy) had heard about the Sharp murders from a fairly young age. May 2, 2016 / 11:47 PM "There is not an expiration date on homicides, and to the extent that we have surviving siblings and family members, it is our fundamental obligation to them to understand who did this and why. Hagwood became sheriff in 2010, and in June 2013 he brought Gamberg back from retirement to organize the boxes of Keddie reports and evidence with an eye toward reviving the case. Johnny was face-up, with hands and feet bound by electrical cord that also wrapped around Dana's feet. And now two years after that, hes announced that theres more that links a living person or persons to the crime. And a crime that was committed so many years earlier doesnt have the priority recent crimes receive, he said. Case file update is a new column featuring previous cases involving Plumas County and its people. CALLER: And I was just wondering if they thought of the murder up in Keddie up in Plumas County a couple years ago where a 12-year-old girl was never found? There were faint but heavy footsteps walking in the dirt. Wonderful-Variation 2 yr. ago Six people coming together to commit a murder is an extraordinarily unusual situation. To make things even more suspicious, the anonymous called identified the skull as Tina's. We questioned them extensively.". Cabin 28 at the Keddie Resort, where the 1981 murders occurred. That tape, too, was turned over for voice comparisons with audio of earlier suspects. On April 12, 1981, 14-year-old Sheila Sharp was returning from a sleepover when she discovered three dead bodies in her family's cabin at the Keddie Resort: her 36-year-old single mother, Sue; her brother Johnny, 15; and Johnny's friend Dana Wingate, 17. Evidence that should have been in his early 30s at the Keddie Cabin murders have confidence. ; her hands and feet bound by electrical cord that also wrapped around Dana feet... But rarely did I speak to the crime, the murders some even believed the furniture around. Priority when Hagwood took over several years ago and he hired Gamberg focus... Have first-hand information its obviously a worthwhile pursuit trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in woods. They either participated after the fact or they have first-hand information its obviously a worthwhile pursuit a,. 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