In the late afternoon of Friday, June 26, 2026, the quiet of Sills Road in Arbuckle, California, was broken by a grim discovery that would launch a double homicide investigation. Deputies from the Colusa County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the rural road around 4:53 p.m. following a report of a possible deceased person. Upon their arrival, they found two adult men who had sustained what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Both men were unresponsive and were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were later identified as Richard Leon Mathies Jr., a 36-year-old man from Yolo County, and 48-year-old Jason Edward Carr of Dunnigan.
The nature of the men's deaths immediately prompted a significant law enforcement response. Detectives with the Colusa County Sheriff's Office, alongside the Colusa County Task Force and criminalists from the California Department of Justice, descended upon the scene to begin the arduous process of collecting evidence and piecing together the events that led to the two men's untimely deaths. Investigators worked through the night, meticulously processing the scene, interviewing potential witnesses, and pursuing any leads that emerged. While the investigation was active and ongoing, authorities stated that based on their initial information, they did not believe there was any lingering threat to the local community.
As the investigation continued in the days that followed, the Colusa County Sheriff's Office appealed to the public for any information that might shed light on the case. They specifically requested that anyone who had been traveling on or near Sills Road on Thursday, June 25, or Friday, June 26, and had observed any suspicious activity, individuals, or vehicles, to come forward and contact Detective Sergeant Antonio Ruiz. Despite the active investigation and the public appeal, no immediate arrests were made, and no information regarding any potential suspects was released to the public. The case remains an open and active double homicide investigation, with law enforcement working to bring closure to the families of Richard Leon Mathies Jr. and Jason Edward Carr.
