Executive Summary
- San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office closed the 1983 murder case of Dorthy Tate.
- Detective Clint Cole utilized advanced DNA genealogy to solve the case.
- Suspects Steven Richard Hadley and Charley Sneed were identified via blood and fingerprint evidence.
- The case was marked “exceptionally cleared” as both suspects are deceased.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office has announced the closure of the 1983 murder case of Dorthy “Toby” Tate, utilizing advanced DNA genealogy to identify two suspects decades after the crime occurred. Authorities stated that the investigation, led by the department’s cold case unit, leveraged modern forensic science to link physical evidence from the crime scene to specific individuals.
Tate, a 40-year-old resident of Estes Park, Colorado, was discovered shot to death in her van on Highway 1, approximately three miles north of Hearst Castle. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Tate was vacationing in the area with her two dogs at the time of the homicide. Investigators have long theorized that the killing occurred during a burglary attempt involving two perpetrators.
Unsolved Homicide Detective Clint Cole, previously noted for his work on the Kristin Smart investigation, led the renewed inquiry. According to the official press release, Detective Cole employed advanced DNA genealogy analysis to re-examine biological evidence. Forensic testing of blood found at the scene confirmed Steven Richard Hadley as a contributor. Additionally, analysis of fingerprints lifted from a Coca-Cola can and other evidence at the scene identified Charley Sneed as a second suspect.
Sheriff Ian Parkinson stated in the release that the investigation determined Hadley and Sneed were involved in the murder “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Both suspects, who were former residents of Texas, are now deceased. As a result, the Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as “exceptionally cleared,” a designation applied when law enforcement identifies the offender but cannot pursue prosecution due to circumstances such as death.
Investigative Outlook
The resolution of the Tate murder underscores the critical role of forensic genealogy in addressing the backlog of unsolved homicides across the United States. By applying contemporary analysis to preserved biological evidence, law enforcement agencies are increasingly able to resolve cases that have remained open for decades. While this clearance brings administrative closure to the investigation, the death of the suspects prevents the presentation of evidence in a criminal trial. It is important to note that while law enforcement has identified these individuals as suspects based on forensic evidence, they were never convicted in a court of law, where all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
