Colter White, a 53-year-old man from Los Gatos, California, was found dead on March 24, 2025, in the Santa Cruz Mountains. His body, along with that of 45-year-old Sean Pfeffer, was discovered in the back of an abandoned pickup truck along Highway 35 near Castle Rock. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that both men had suffered fatal gunshot wounds, officially classifying the incident as a double homicide.
White had sustained gunshot wounds to his torso and left upper and lower extremities, while Pfeffer was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest.
Friends and family of White described him as a devoted father and husband, emphasizing his efforts to turn his life around despite past legal troubles. His friend, Janelle Sanford, noted that White had been trying to encourage others to make better choices. Pfeffer, who was also from Boulder Creek, had posted a chilling message on Facebook just a day before his death, naming James David Collier as a potential threat. In his post, Pfeffer indicated that he was going to confront Collier over an unresolved dispute.
Following a month-long investigation, California Highway Patrol detectives arrested 66-year-old James David Collier at his home in Boulder Creek on April 28, 2025. The arrest was carried out by CHP officers executing a warrant filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators had identified Collier as a suspect early on, and a search warrant was served at a residence associated with him on April 9. The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and authorities have not disclosed where or when the two men were killed. However, the case is being treated as a homicide, and Collier is expected to face charges related to the deaths of White and Pfeffer.
