UPDATE: A significant breakthrough has emerged in the 2012 murder of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith in Soquel, California. Authorities have arrested 63-year-old Colin Sean Tisdale, charging him with Smith’s murder after more than a decade-long investigation.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on December 5, 2023, confirming that Tisdale was already in custody on unrelated charges at the Santa Cruz County Jail. The arrest follows a relentless 13-year investigation, which included collaboration with the California Department of Justice and the county’s Forensic Services Division.
On August 16, 2012, emergency responders rushed to a residence on Nicasio Way after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Smith, 28, critically injured from a gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after first responders arrived.
Tisdale has been a longstanding suspect in this case, identified as early as September 2012 due to his connection with drug charges unrelated to the murder. At that time, he was arrested on Highway 17 near Idylwild Drive with 200 methadone pills in his possession, just hours after Smith’s death.
The investigation faced numerous challenges over the years, but detectives remained committed to solving Smith’s murder. “After years of hard work and collaboration, we are pleased to bring a measure of justice for the victim and his family,” said a spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office.
The impact of Smith’s tragic death resonates deeply in the community. He is remembered as a devoted family man, survived by his wife, Amanda Fox Sloan, and their young daughter. Following her husband’s death, Sloan faced her own legal troubles, ultimately dying in custody in early 2013 under tragic circumstances.
As this case progresses, the community awaits further developments. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with additional information to come forward. This arrest marks a crucial step in providing closure to the Smith family and highlights the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
