Unsolved Murder of Jennifer Lin (California)
The FBI and Alameda County Sheriff's Office are actively seeking public information regarding the 1994 murder of Jennifer Lin, a 14-year-old found stabbed to death in her Castro Valley home. As of January 26, 2026, a dedicated FBI webpage is available for tips, and the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction has been doubled to $200,000. Investigators are utilizing new DNA technology to reexamine evidence, which has allowed for the extraction of new cells and the discovery of potential new leads in the 30-year-old cold case. A suspect, Bart Guy, was identified in 2006 but never charged and died in prison in 2021, while Sebastian Shaw has been definitively ruled out as a suspect. Jennifer's father, John Lin, continues to advocate for justice, and the Jenny Lin Foundation holds annual events in her memory.
Timeline
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Track this story2026
1 update
2026
1 updateThe FBI and Alameda County Sheriff's Office are now actively seeking information from the public regarding Jennifer Lin's unsolved murder, including through a dedicated FBI webpage.
via fbi.gov
2025
2 updates
2025
2 updatesThe 31st anniversary of Jenny Lin's murder was marked with an annual tribute concert, and detectives are now hoping new technology will aid in finding her killer. Her father, John Lin, continues to advocate for justice.
via youtube.com
The Jenny Lin Foundation will hold a memorial service on May 23, 2025, where Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez is expected to provide an update on the investigation into Jennifer Lin's murder.
via tricityvoice.com
2024
3 updates
2024
3 updatesComposer Dr. Jack Stamp created two musical pieces, 'Fast Falls the Eventide' and 'CeLINbration,' to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Jenny Lin's murder. These pieces are scheduled to premiere at a community concert on July 13, 2024.
via tricityvoice.com
The reward for information leading to the killer of Jennifer Lin has been doubled to $200,000. Additionally, investigators are now utilizing new DNA technology to reexamine evidence, which has allowed for the extraction of new cells and the discovery of potential new leads in the 30-year-old cold case.
The FBI and Alameda County Sheriff's Office are actively seeking public information to solve the 1994 murder of Jennifer Lin, with a dedicated FBI webpage now available for tips. A suspect, Bart Guy, was identified in 2006 but never charged and died in prison in 2021. The Jenny Lin Foundation continues to offer a $200,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
2022
4 updates
2022
4 updatesA neighbor reported seeing a man with a blue duffel bag near the Lin's house around the time of the murder. Police dogs tracked a man's scent through the baseball field behind the house.
via reddit.com
In 2022, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office announced the use of new DNA technology to reexamine evidence in the 1994 murder of Jennifer Lin. Investigators believe this technology could lead to a breakthrough, as it allows for the extraction of previously undetected DNA. Jennifer Lin, then 14, was found stabbed to death in her Castro Valley home.
via NextShark
Authorities announced they were utilizing new DNA technology in Jennifer's case, and revealed that Sebastian Shaw had been definitively ruled out as a suspect.
The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Jennifer's case was doubled to $200,000.
2021
1 update
2021
1 updateSebastian Shaw died in prison without ever being charged in connection with Jennifer Lin's murder.
2007
1 update
2007
1 updateThe Alameda County District Attorney's Office announced they would not be filing charges against Sebastian Shaw due to insufficient evidence.
2006
1 update
2006
1 updateAuthorities publicly named Sebastian Shaw, a serial killer serving time in Oregon for other homicides, as a prime suspect in Jennifer's murder.
1995
1 update
1995
1 updateJennifer's parents, John and Mei-Lian Lin, established the Jenny Lin Foundation to advocate for their daughter's case and help solve it.
1994
Story began · 32 years, 3 mo ago