The following is a press release from the Cloverdale Police Department. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent until proven guilty:
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, California. He has been taken into custody and is being booked into the Sonoma County Jail (Charges: 187(a) PC Murder, 261(a)(1) PC Rape, 207(b) PC Kidnapping, and 288(b)(1) PC Lew and Lascivious acts with a minor under 14 by force.
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.
Cloverdale Police Chief Parker said, “Today represents a bittersweet victory for justice. While nothing can undo the pain inflicted upon the Geer family and our community, we can finally offer some solace in knowing that the perpetrator will be held accountable. This arrest is a testament to the dedication of our law enforcement agencies and the unwavering resolve of Cloverdale’s citizens.”
The Cloverdale Police Department extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and support throughout the complexities of this decades-old case, which many feared would never be solved. The department also expresses deep appreciation to the Geer family for their enduring strength and cooperation throughout this prolonged process. Sarah’s next of kin has been notified and was very appreciative in giving them some closure.
Cloverdale Mayor Lands said, “Today, we stand united in solidarity with the Geer family as we witness the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance by our law enforcement officials. This arrest signifies not only a step towards closure but also a reiteration of our commitment to ensuring safety and justice for all in Cloverdale.”
The Cloverdale Police Department has an unwavering commitment to provide service to the community we all share and care about.
She was my friend, found a block from my house. Her murder was BRUTAL!! All who knew her never forgot her. Thank you to all involved in solving this case and bringing much needed closure. May he spend THE REST OF HIS LIFE locked up.
I am a news reporter and would be interested in talking to you. This press release tells us nothign about the victim or the case. my full first and last name plus gmail.com, no extras
Thank you for your dedication to getting this case solved and giving Sara’s family closure. May Sara Rest In Peace ??????
Thankful for their persevereance.
Questioning why his face is not shown.
Hopefully, “the fellas”, will handle it when he gets to where he’s going.
I’m glad there is finally some closure after all these years. She was loved and is deeply missed.
Let’s leave the families of the perpetrators out of this please. This is a horrible thing we can all agree on that, prayer to all involved I don’t want to see more hurt caused to his kids who had no clue of this happening
This criminal deserves a punishment that unfortunately has not been used for about 500 years. With the publicity given to the successes of DNA identification, he must have been worried these last few years. No consideration should be given to any “good works” in the last 42 years. This old man is really that same mean little kid.
What a great victory for all who were instrumental in finding justice for the victim
& the family .
I want to say that I believe this is only justice in the ways of him being held accountable in the limiting system we have .
Sadly him being caught ,does not do much to heal the pain that this
man brought into the victim and families life that night so long ago .
I truly wish that every time the humans of evil blood were caught
& 100% guilty for their crimes ,that the family would be rewarded with the
only thing they wanted which was the victim alive and home again .’b.
So ,I send my love to the parents …
I send you the hope of forgiveness so you can be free .
….Just so you know ,I was a victim of an attempted rape ,and beating with a hammer back in Oct of 1987 in Laytonville & they’ve never caught who did it .
I’m 53 now ,yet I’m alive .
I’m not sure why some of us are still here when others weren’t so fortunate .
Sometimes I wonder if my life was worth being saved ?
Because the scars remain in me of that life changing night in forms of ways I’m not sure I’ll ever even know ..
Yet I wear the scars of a hammer dent in my skull & a finger that’s bent and scarred from all the surgeries to make it right yet didn’t succeed .
Yet ,I didn’t say all that to make this about me ,I just wanted you to know it isn’t
some response from someone who didn’t also experience how evil some humans are when I was a child myself .
My intent and goal of this was to show respect and value to the victims life cut so very short & the parents that adored her
This story touched me deeply and she will live on in my thoughts as well .
Empathy is essential in times like this & I hope this brings you some feeling of
not being alone in your pain .
Sincerely ,
Kristi Wilwand
Not to bring his family into it as they are innocent but it looks as if he named his daughter after the victim… that would be truly sick and horrifying for her.