Robert "Bob" Harden, a 52-year-old resident of Redwood Estates, California, tragically lost his life on May 11, 2016, in a violent confrontation inside his home on Madrone Drive. Harden, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast who ran his own hauling business, was raising three school-aged children with his wife. The incident, which shocked the tight-knit community nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, involved a deadly shooting that also left two other men injured. These men, who were present during the confrontation, survived their injuries.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office identified Andre Redmon, a 43-year-old man from San Francisco, as the primary suspect. Redmon, who has an extensive criminal history, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including murder, false imprisonment, and kidnapping for the purpose of robbery and burglary. The motive behind the violent encounter remains unclear, but it was reported that Redmon and his accomplice bound and gagged Harden's son and a family friend before fatally shooting Harden while demanding money. The accomplice, whose identity has not been disclosed, also died after a high-speed escape attempt that ended in a car crash on Highway 17.
Redmon was apprehended shortly after the crash and initially agreed to a jailhouse interview but later decided to speak only through his attorney. He was charged with two counts of murder, including the death of his accomplice, and was held without bail. The case drew significant attention due to the rare and brutal nature of the crime in such a peaceful community. Harden's widow, Marlene, expressed her grief and described her husband as a loving family man who was taken from them in a "terrible act of violence." The investigation into the incident continued as the community mourned the loss of a beloved member.
