BREAKING: Authorities have arrested a suspect in the longstanding murder case of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith, who was fatally shot in Soquel, California, over a decade ago. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced today that 63-year-old Colin Sean Tisdale has been charged with Smith’s murder, marking a significant breakthrough in a case that has haunted the community since August 16, 2012.
On that fateful day, emergency personnel rushed to a residence on Nicasio Way after reports of a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Upon arrival, they found Smith, just 28 years old, critically injured. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after first responders arrived.
After an extensive 13-year investigation, authorities secured an arrest warrant for Tisdale. He was taken into custody on December 5 while already incarcerated in the Santa Cruz County Jail on unrelated charges. The investigation was bolstered by support from the California Department of Justice and the county’s Forensic Services Division, reflecting the commitment to resolving this cold case.
Tisdale has been a person of interest for years. He was first identified as a suspect shortly after the murder, with reports indicating he was stopped by sheriff’s deputies just hours after the incident on Highway 17. During that stop, deputies discovered 200 methadone pills in his vehicle, leading to a conviction for drug offenses in 2013.
The impact of Smith’s murder was profound, leaving behind his wife, Amanda Fox Sloan, and a young daughter. Tragically, Sloan faced her own legal troubles and was jailed shortly after Smith’s death, leading to a high-speed chase with police. She was later found dead in her jail cell in an apparent suicide.
This recent arrest brings a glimmer of hope to a case that has deeply affected the Soquel community. As the investigation continues, many are left wondering what new developments will emerge.
Stay tuned for updates as authorities work to bring justice for Jeffrey Smith and his family. This story is still unfolding, and more details will be released as they become available.
