On July 3, 2023, in McKinleyville, California, 26-year-old Kenneth “Michael” Davis was fatally shot at a residence on the 2000 block of Silverbrook Court. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Jasen Dwain Coley, fled the scene in a dark-colored compact sedan. Authorities located the vehicle later that evening near the Strawberry Rock area in Trinidad, but Coley remained at large.
An extensive two-day search ensued, involving foot patrols, vehicle patrols, and UAV drones.
On July 5, a citizen spotted Coley lying in the brush along a trail between Trinidad State Beach and College Cove, with a shotgun beside him. Law enforcement responded promptly, and Coley was arrested without incident. A 12-gauge Remington 870 shotgun, loaded with a single slug and believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered at the scene.
Coley and Davis were known to each other, though the motive for the crime remains under investigation. Coley was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail pending arraignment. The case has been submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Kenneth “Michael” Davis was born on July 14, 1997, in Arcata, California. He grew up in McKinleyville, surrounded by a large extended family. A graduate of McKinleyville High School in 2016, he excelled in track and cross-country. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in economics from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2020. Davis married his high school sweetheart, Jordyn Johnston, in July 2021, and the couple had recently purchased their first home together.
The tragic loss of Davis has deeply affected the McKinleyville community, where he was known for his kindness, loyalty, and strong faith. He was actively involved in local churches and youth programs, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and service.
