California officials have announced an arrest in the long-unsolved case of a mother who vanished 35 years ago, leaving her young child behind.
James Lawhead Jr., aged 64, was taken into custody on Friday in Bullhead City, Arizona, facing charges related to the 1991 kidnapping and murder of Cindy Wanner, as reported by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
“This case has always been one of the worst unsolved mysteries here in Placer County. We’ve never stopped pursuing justice for Cindy and her family, and we hope this marks a step toward healing,” stated Sheriff Wayne Wu.
Wagner, then 35 years old, disappeared from her home in Granite Bay, California, on November 25, 1991. She left her 11-month-old child alone in a high chair, alongside her car, shoes, and coat.
Three weeks later, her body was discovered in a secluded area near Ford’s Hill, about 40 miles from where she lived. Investigators determined that she had been strangled.
The pursuit for Wagner’s killer stagnated until new DNA evidence was submitted to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, which identified Lawhead as a suspect.
At the time of Wagner’s murder, Lawhead was 30 years old. He had just been released from prison after serving 11 years for sex crimes against children.
Surprisingly, authorities found that there had been no updates on his whereabouts since 2005. It seemed he might have taken on a new identity, which led investigators to collaborate with local law enforcement to identify him using facial recognition.
Eventually, they discovered Lawhead living in Bullhead City, Arizona, under the alias Vincent Reynolds. He was apprehended with aid from the local police and is set to be extradited to Placer County for prosecution.
The investigation also implicated Lawhead’s sister, Terry Lawhead Steele, aged 71, who was arrested on charges of aiding and abetting.
Interestingly, it appears Steele had spoken to law enforcement several times over the years, claiming she hadn’t heard from her brother in two decades. However, investigators found evidence suggesting that Lawhead had actually been residing in a property she owned and that they were still communicating.
Authorities are exploring whether Lawhead has been involved in other crimes in the area.
At this point, it remains unclear if Lawhead has secured legal representation.
“This arrest underscores that time doesn’t erase accountability or our commitment to these cases,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gyre. “Cold cases aren’t forgotten; they remain relevant, personal, and a promise we intend to uphold.”
As of now, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to requests for comments.
