URGENT UPDATE: A major breakthrough in a decade-old murder case has occurred as authorities confirm the arrest of 63-year-old Colin Sean Tisdale for the shooting death of Jeffrey Stephensen Smith in Soquel, California. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced this significant development just moments ago.
On August 16, 2012, first responders were dispatched to a residence on Nicasio Way in Soquel after receiving distressing reports of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. When deputies arrived, they found Smith, aged 28, alive but critically injured. Despite immediate medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Following a painstaking 13-year investigation, sheriff’s detectives, in conjunction with the county District Attorney’s Office, secured an arrest warrant for Tisdale. He was apprehended on December 5, 2023, while already in custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail for unrelated charges.
Tisdale has been a suspect in Smith’s murder for years, initially identified in September 2012 when he was mentioned in a news report concerning unrelated drug charges. Just hours after the murder, deputies stopped Tisdale on Highway 17, where they discovered 200 methadone pills in his vehicle during a search.
In a twist of fate, Tisdale was sentenced to nine years in prison in August 2013 for those drug charges. The investigation into Smith’s death benefited from the collaboration of the California Department of Justice and the county’s Forensic Services Division, showcasing the dedication of law enforcement to bring closure to this case.
The impact of Smith’s death rippled through the community. He is remembered fondly by friends and family, including his wife, Amanda Fox Sloan, and their young daughter. Tragically, Sloan’s life took a dramatic turn in November 2012, when she was jailed after an incident involving law enforcement. Months later, she was found dead in her cell, adding another layer of sorrow to this already tragic story.
As this case develops, the community watches closely. What happens next in the courtroom could reveal more about the circumstances surrounding Smith’s death and Tisdale’s alleged involvement.
Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest updates on this unfolding story, which highlights the relentless pursuit of justice by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and the broader implications for the families affected by this tragedy.
