James Lawhead, a name not heard of for over three decades, is back and making headlines again. The 64-year-old suspect was extradited from Arizona and appeared in court to face charges linked to the 1991 cold case murder of Granite Bay resident Cindy Wanner. Last seen on November 25 that year, Wanner’s disappearance sent shockwaves through her community, culminating in a three-week search that ended tragically when her body was discovered.
Lawhead is not just looking at a single charge; he’s in deep with a litany of serious accusations, including murder with special circumstances for rape and multiple counts of kidnapping. The judge has set no bail, which means Lawhead will be cooling his heels in custody pending his next court appearance slated for May 19.
Even more jaw-dropping is the fact that this long-elusive suspect had been living under the radar, assuming the identities of“Vincent Reynolds”and“James Nichols.”It’s like something out of a crime thriller! Adding to the complexity, Lawhead’s sister, Terry Lawhead Steele, was also arrested as an accessory. It’s a tangled web of family and crime that has yet to fully unfold. This case serves as a bittersweet reminder that justice isn’t always swift, but it certainly has a way of coming back around. What a family reunion this is turning out to be!
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
