By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
On August 2, 2024, The Observer reported on the arrest of a Willows man in a 42-year-old Sonoma County murder case.
On Monday, July 22, the Cloverdale Police Department, located in Sonoma County, Calif., announced a breakthrough in the cold case involving a 13-year-old girl who was raped and murdered. The suspect in this 1982 crime is James Unick, now 63, of Willows.
The department’s press release states, “The Cloverdale Police Department has announced a major breakthrough in the decades-old Sarah Geer murder case, bringing closure to a tragic event that has haunted the community for over forty years. The cold case, dating back to the 1982 murder of 13-year-old Sarah Ann Geer, has finally been resolved.
“Former Police Chief Jason Ferguson, who reopened the investigation in July 2021, retired in December 2023. His successor, Chief Chris Parker, continued the pursuit of justice alongside private investigator Kevin Cline and Cloverdale Detective Katie Vanoni.
“Sergeant Borruso initially took charge of the investigation in 2021, meticulously reviewing evidence and conducting interviews. A male DNA profile was identified from the evidence and through the use of modern DNA genetic genealogy technology, this dedicated team has successfully identified and apprehended James Unick, 62, from Willows… He has been taken into custody and is being booked into the Sonoma County Jail.
“The successful conclusion of this case was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Cloverdale Police Department, Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, SERI Labs, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and private investigator Kevin Cline….”
Suspect James Unick lived in Willows since at least 1995.
Update: According to Sonoma County Superior Court records, a preliminary hearing was commenced on Thursday, January 2, and concluded on Friday, January 3. Judge Laura Passaglia ruled that there is sufficient evidence for Unick to stand trial.
Judge Passaglia ordered that Unick return to court for arraignment on Thursday, February 6. Since July 22, 2024, he has been in custody without bail in the Sonoma County jail (Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility), located in the City of Santa Rosa.
He is formally charged with murder with malice aforethought [pc 187(a)], and a murder enhancement [pc 190.2(a)(17)].
The Glenn County Observer 