The Unsolved Keddie Cabin Murders: A Haunting Legacy of Violence and Mystery

A New Beginning in Keddie

In July 1979, Glenna "Sue" Sharp sought a fresh start. Leaving behind an abusive marriage in Connecticut, she relocated with her five children to northern California, where her brother resided. Initially settling in a modest trailer in Quincy, the family soon moved to Cabin 28 in the rural community of Keddie. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, Keddie offered a serene environment that Sue hoped would be ideal for raising her children: John (15), Sheila (14), Tina (12), Rick (10), and Greg (5). Despite the challenges of single parenthood, Sue was determined to build a stable life for her family.

The Fateful Night of April 11, 1981

The evening of April 11, 1981, began like any other. Sue was at home with her younger sons, Rick and Greg, along with their friend, 12-year-old Justin Smartt, who was spending the night. Sheila had plans to stay with the neighboring Seabolt family in Cabin 27, while Tina returned home around 9:30 p.m. after watching television next door. Meanwhile, John and his friend, 17-year-old Dana Wingate, spent the day in Quincy and were last seen hitchhiking back to Keddie later that night. Unbeknownst to the family, these routine activities would culminate in a tragedy that would haunt the community for decades.

A Grisly Discovery

On the morning of April 12, Sheila returned to Cabin 28, intending to prepare for church. Upon opening the front door, she was confronted with a horrific scene: the lifeless bodies of her mother, Sue, her brother, John, and Dana, sprawled in the living room. All three victims had been bound with medical tape and electrical cords, and suffered brutal injuries from stabbing and blunt-force trauma. In a state of shock, Sheila fled back to the Seabolts' residence for help. Remarkably, the younger boys—Rick, Greg, and Justin—were found unharmed in a bedroom, having reportedly slept through the entire ordeal. However, 12-year-old Tina was missing, her absence adding a chilling layer to the unfolding nightmare.

The Initial Investigation

Law enforcement arrived promptly, but the investigation faced immediate challenges. The crime scene was chaotic, with evidence suggesting a violent struggle. Two bloodied knives and a hammer were recovered, believed to be the murder weapons. Despite the severity of the crime, there were no signs of forced entry, leading investigators to consider the possibility that the perpetrator(s) were known to the victims. Interviews with neighbors yielded limited information; some recalled hearing muffled screams in the early morning hours, but no one reported anything suspicious at the time. The lack of concrete leads and the absence of Tina complicated the investigation further, as authorities grappled with the dual task of solving the murders and locating the missing girl....Read More

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