Executive Summary
- Roger Neil Schmidt pleaded guilty to the 1984 murder of Terry Arndt and sexual assault of a second victim.
- Advancements in DNA technology and forensic genealogy led investigators to identify and arrest Schmidt in Tucson, Arizona.
- The plea agreement includes a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole and a waiver of appeal rights.
- Sentencing is scheduled for December 16 in Shasta County Superior Court.
Roger Neil Schmidt has pleaded guilty to the 1984 murder of 18-year-old Terry Arndt and the sexual assault of a female companion, resolving a four-decade-old cold case in Shasta County, California. The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office announced the development on Monday, bringing legal closure to an investigation that had stalled for nearly 40 years.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on December 14, 1984, on Mountain View Road near Burney High School. Arndt and an 18-year-old woman were parked in a vehicle when Schmidt approached them. Court documents state that Schmidt fatally shot Arndt multiple times before sexually assaulting the female victim. For decades, investigators were unable to identify a suspect, and the case went cold.
The breakthrough came through advancements in DNA technology and forensic genealogy, which allowed authorities to link evidence from the 1984 crime scene to Schmidt. Investigators from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to collect a DNA sample from Schmidt, which confirmed the match. Following the identification, Schmidt reportedly confessed to the crimes and was taken into custody.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Schmidt faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. As part of the deal, he has waived his right to appeal the conviction. Arndt’s parents were present in the courtroom to witness the plea. The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel, with assistance from the Tucson Police Department.
Judicial Finality and Forensic Impact
The resolution of this case underscores the critical role of forensic genealogy in clearing the backlog of unsolved homicides across the United States. By securing a guilty plea involving life without parole, the judicial system achieves a definitive conclusion without the uncertainty and resource demands of a jury trial. While the guilty plea establishes factual responsibility, the upcoming sentencing hearing on December 16 remains the final procedural step to officially codify the penalty under California law.
