UPDATE: A major breakthrough in a decade-old murder case has just been announced. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Colin Sean Tisdale, 63, in connection with the shooting death of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith in Soquel on August 16, 2012.
This urgent development follows a lengthy investigation that spanned over 13 years. Tisdale was taken into custody on December 5, while already incarcerated in the Santa Cruz County Jail for unrelated charges. Authorities confirmed that a murder warrant had been issued after consultations with the county District Attorney’s Office.
On the tragic day in 2012, deputies and medical personnel rushed to a residence on Nicasio Way after reports of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Upon arrival, they found Smith, just 28 years old, critically injured. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The investigation into Smith’s murder had identified Tisdale as a suspect as early as September 2012. Reports revealed that he was pulled over by deputies on Highway 17 just hours after the shooting, where authorities discovered 200 methadone pills in his vehicle. Tisdale later served nine years in prison for those drug charges.
The human impact of this case is profound. Smith was a beloved community member, remembered for his time at Green Acres Elementary School and Aptos High School. He leaves behind a grieving family, including his wife, Amanda Fox Sloan, and a 17-month-old daughter. Tragically, Sloan herself faced legal troubles shortly after Smith’s death, leading to her own untimely demise in jail.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has received support from the California Department of Justice and the county’s Forensic Services Division throughout this prolonged investigation. The arrest of Tisdale marks a significant step toward justice for Smith’s family, who have waited years for answers.
As this story develops, all eyes will be on the upcoming legal proceedings against Tisdale. The community is left to grapple with the impact of these events as the search for justice continues. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding situation.
