The Keddie Cabin Murders
New DNA evidence emerged on January 18, 2026, pointing to other living suspects in the 1981 Keddie Cabin Murders, even as initial suspects Martin Smartt and Bo Boudebe are deceased. As of February 13, 2026, a hammer believed to be a murder weapon was found in a pond near the crime scene, 35 years after the murders of Sue Sharp, her son John, his friend Dana Wingate, and Tina Sharp in Keddie, California. Forensic examination on January 21, 2026, confirmed a BB gun and two different hammers were involved, and former Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood and investigators believe people connected to the case are still alive. Investigator Mike Gamberg was brought out of retirement in 2013 to re-examine the case, leading to the 2016 discovery of the hammer. The initial crime scene was reportedly mishandled, leading to the loss of key evidence and admitted errors by law enforcement.
Timeline
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February 2026 — 1 developments
Martin Smartt's 1981 confession and letter to wife, and 35-year-old hammer found in pond
Martin Smartt allegedly confessed to a counselor in May 1981 and wrote a letter to his wife that investigators had difficulty admitting as evidence. A hammer believed to be a murder weapon was found in a pond near the crime scene after being there for 35 years.
January 2026 — 5 developments
Forensic examination confirms BB gun and two hammers involved in Keddie Cabin Murders
Forensic examination in the Keddie Cabin Murders case confirmed that a BB gun was involved, in addition to two different hammers.
Former Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood believes Keddie Cabin Murders suspects are alive
Former Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood and investigators believe that people connected to the Keddie Cabin Murders case are still alive.
Plumas County Sheriff's Department releases sketches, confirms two hammers in investigation
A video summary of the investigation revealed that the Plumas County Sheriff's Department had eight investigators on the case, released sketches of two unidentified men seen before the murders, and forensic examination confirmed two different hammers were involved.
Investigators find hammer believed to be murder weapon in Plumas County cold case
Investigator Mike Gamberg was brought out of retirement in 2013 by Plumas County Sheriff Greg Hagwood to re-examine the case. Furthermore, in 2016, investigators found a hammer believed to be the murder weapon.
New DNA evidence points to other living suspects in Keddie Cabin Murders
New DNA evidence has emerged, pointing to other living suspects in the Keddie Cabin Murders, even as the initial suspects, Martin Smartt and Bo Boudebe, are deceased.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Law Enforcement Mishandled Keddie Cabin Murders Crime Scene, Losing Key Evidence
The initial crime scene of the 1981 Keddie Cabin murders was reportedly mishandled, leading to the loss or destruction of key evidence and admitted errors by law enforcement.
June 2025 — 2 developments
Anonymous Call Identifying Tina Sharp's Skull Disappears from Police Records
An anonymous call identifying the skull of 12-year-old Tina Sharp reportedly disappeared from police records, highlighting initial investigative errors in the case.
Keddie Cabin Murders Victims Identified as Sharp Family and Friend; Suspects Named
The victims of the Keddie Cabin Murders were identified as Sue Sharp, her son John, his friend Dana Wingate, and Tina Sharp, whose remains were later found. Initial suspects in the investigation included Martin Smartt and John Boubede.
January 2025 — 1 developments
Author David Keller Publishes 'Solving Keddie' After 20 Years of Research
Local author David Keller published a new book titled 'Solving Keddie' in January 2025, which is the culmination of 20 years of research into the 1981 Keddie homicides.
September 2024 — 1 developments
Investigators tested hammer and knife for DNA evidence
Investigators have tested the hammer and knife for DNA evidence in recent years.
April 2024 — 1 developments
Tina Sharp's Remains Found in 1984; Butte County Sheriff's Office Received Mysterious Call
Tina Sharp's remains were found in 1984, three years after the initial murders. Additionally, a mysterious phone call was received by the Butte County Sheriff's Office shortly after the incident.
April 2021 — 1 developments
Detectives believe they are closer to solving Keddie Murders, acknowledge past mistakes
In 2021, detectives stated they believe they are closer than ever to solving the Keddie Murders, acknowledging crucial mistakes made in the initial 1981 investigation. Additionally, in 2016, investigators found a recording of a man believed to be one of the killers or an accomplice.
April 2018 — 2 developments
New DNA evidence and hammer found in Keddie murders case
New evidence in the 37-year-old Keddie murders case includes DNA from medical tape found at the scene matching a living suspect, discovered in 2018. A hammer believed to be the murder weapon was also found in a nearby pond in 2016, providing renewed hope for solving the quadruple murder.
Plumas County Sheriff's investigator announces DNA match in cold case
Plumas County Sheriff's special investigator Mike Gamberg announced that DNA evidence recovered from a piece of medical tape at the crime scene matched that of a known living suspect.
November 2016 — 2 developments
Martin Smartt's letter with 'I've paid the price' statement discovered in 2016
A 2016 article highlighted the discovery of a letter from primary suspect Martin Smartt to his wife, containing the statement 'I've paid the price ...', which was not previously reported in the existing events.
Keddie Murders Investigation Identifies Six Persons of Interest, Receives Mysterious Call
The revived investigation into the Keddie murders led to the identification of at least six 'persons of interest' and involved a mysterious phone call to the sheriff's office.
March 2016 — 1 developments
Hammer matching suspect Martin Smartt's description found in pond
A hammer, matching the description of one a suspect (Martin Smartt) claimed to have lost, was discovered in a local pond and taken into evidence.
June 1984 — 1 developments
Forensic Pathologists Confirm Remains Belong to Tina Sharp
Forensic pathologists confirmed the remains found in April belonged to Tina Sharp.
April 1984 — 1 developments
Bottle collector discovers Tina Sharp's remains near Feather Falls three years after murders
Three years after the murders, a bottle collector discovered the skull and other remains of Tina Sharp at Camp 18 near Feather Falls in Butte County, approximately 62 miles from Keddie.
April 1981 — 2 developments
FBI backs off Tina Sharp disappearance investigation, citing state handling
The FBI, initially investigating Tina Sharp's disappearance as an abduction, 'backed off' the search, stating the California State Department of Justice was handling the investigation adequately.
Sheila Sharp discovers bodies of mother, brother, and friend in Cabin 28
Sheila Sharp, Sue's 14-year-old daughter, returned home from a sleepover and discovered the bodies of her mother, brother John, and Dana Wingate in the living room of Cabin 28. Her younger brothers, Rick and Greg, and their friend Justin Smartt were found unharmed in an adjacent bedroom. Tina Sharp was missing.