On August 14, 1965, Robert James Boles, aged 13, was tragically murdered along with his family in their newly built cabin in Crestline, California. The Boles family, consisting of James (41), Darlene (37), Robert (often referred to as Bobby), and his younger brother Tommy (12), had traveled to their cabin for a weekend getaway. The family was last seen alive on the evening of August 14, strolling through the nearby Crestline resort area.
When they failed to return home as planned on August 16, concerned relatives contacted the authorities.
Upon arriving at the cabin, Darlene's brother, Floyd Rice, discovered the gruesome scene. The family dog was found dead on the couch, and the bodies of James, Darlene, Bobby, and Tommy were located in the master bedroom. James and Bobby were found next to the bed, while Darlene and Tommy were in the closet. The family had been shot multiple times with a .22 caliber weapon, with James receiving 15 gunshot wounds, Darlene 13, Bobby 8, and Tommy 3. Investigators believed the murders occurred around 8:30 PM on August 14.
The investigation into the Boles family's murder was extensive. Initially, several suspects were considered, but most were eventually eliminated. A significant lead emerged when investigators focused on George Robert Stewart, who was wanted in Alabama for a different murder. Stewart allegedly failed a polygraph test related to the Boles case, but the evidence was insufficient to charge him. Despite the detectives' strong suspicions, Stewart was never formally charged, and later investigations suggested he had an alibi for the time of the murders.
The case remained unsolved for decades, with various theories and leads explored over the years. On the 40th anniversary of the murders, a new detective reviewed the case and concluded that Stewart was likely not responsible. The investigation into the Boles family's murder remains open, with no definitive answers or arrests made to date. The tragic deaths of Robert James Boles and his family continue to haunt the Crestline community, serving as a somber reminder of the unsolved mystery.
