Update: Missing man found dead, murder suspect arrested
Todd Pinion hiking with his dog, Spock.
Tyler Grant Stevens, 21, of Paso Robles arrested for murder
– The search for Todd Joseph Pinion, a 34-year-old man reported missing last Thursday, has come to a tragic end. On Sunday, Atascadero Police detectives discovered Pinion’s body in a secluded area near Tassajera Creek. The discovery confirmed fears that arose following his disappearance.
“Initial investigations raised concerns about suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” said Commander Jeffrey Wilshusen of the Atascadero Police Department.
Following an investigation, detectives identified Tyler Grant Stevens, a 21-year-old resident of rural Paso Robles, as a suspect. Stevens was arrested and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of homicide (Penal Code 187).
Stevens was booked into jail at 2:31 a.m. early Sunday morning. He is described as 5’5″ tall and 160 lbs. He is being held without bail.
Pinion was last seen near a Motel 6 in Atascadero, reportedly using public Wi-Fi on a laptop as he did not have a cell phone. He had been staying with friends in recent months and was sometimes homeless.
His dog, Spock, was found dead last Monday along Highway 101 near Cuesta Grade, prompting friends, authorities, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter to conduct an extensive search of the region.
The initial report of Mr. Pinion’s disappearance sparked significant public concern and an outpouring of support. Friends and family described him as a kind and creative man who had faced recent hardships, including unemployment and health challenges following a serious bicycle accident.
Todd Pinion, right, stands with his mother and sister, whom he walked down the aisle with at her wedding about a year ago.
Following the news of his death, friends posted memories of Pinion on social media:
Brandi Anderson posted, “I don’t even have words right now. Todd Pinion, you are my best friend and always will be. We’ve experienced so many different things in life together and walked through hard things and beautiful things together. I feel my chest is going to explode. I’m so lucky that I have all the memories I do with you. I will never adjust to a world without you. Family isn’t always blood. Sometimes family is chosen. I am so grateful we chose each other.”
Melanie Morris posted, “Rest In Peace my sweet Todd Pinion. A bright light has been extinguished too soon. Praying for his family and justice to be served.
Jacob Lyons posted: “I’ll miss you, Todd, you were the most real and outgoing person to be around. I’ll miss the festivals, sound baths, and road trips. You always made them better. Love you man.”
Todd’s sister Shanna Payton, asks everyone to “Please give the family time and space to grieve. “And we will be sharing details of a celebration of life when they are available,” she said.
The Atascadero Police Department thanks the community and partner agencies who contributed to the investigation, said Commander Wilshusen.
Authorities continue to investigate this active case and urge anyone with information to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.
Follow the Paso Robles Daily News for ongoing updates on the case.
Update posted Nov. 2, 2024:
Missing person Todd Joseph Pinion.
Missing person update: Search continues for 34-year-old man after dog found dead
– The Atascadero Police Department released the following information in a press release around midday on Friday:
The Atascadero Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating Todd Joseph Pinion, a 34-year-old who was last seen on Oct. 22 in the City of Atascadero.
Description of missing person:
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- Name: Todd Joseph Pinion
- Age: 34
- Height: 5’10
- Weight: 115 lbs
- Hair Color: brown
- Eye Color: blue
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Other identifying marks: Todd has a dream catcher tattoo on his right shoulder, a tattoo of a fox with a sunflower, octopus tentacles on his right bicep, a tattoo of a strawberry/clock on his left wrist and a tattoo of a moon with clouds on his left shoulder. He is known to wear numerous rings and bracelets on both arms and has recently been known to wear a red and black fox mask.
Todd was last seen in Atascadero on Oct. 22; however, he was active on social media the morning of the 23rd. Todd frequents the south county and was reportedly staying in the Nipomo area, however, recently he has been staying with different friends in different locations.
Todd’s dog was found deceased on Highway 101 near the Cuesta Grade. The CHP helicopter searched the area and was unable to locate Todd.
The Atascadero Police Department is working with allied agencies in the search. Community members are urged to email or call if they have any information, no matter how small, as it may help lead to Todd’s safe return. Please contact Detective Sergeant Kellye Netz at [email protected] or (805) 461-5051.
We ask that you please refrain from sharing unverified information on social media, as it may hinder our investigation. The Atascadero Police Department will provide updates as new information becomes available.
The Atascadero Police Department would like to thank the community for their support and cooperation as we work toward Todd’s safe recovery. The attached photo was obtained through Todd’s social media page.
Original story posted Nov. 1, 2024:
Todd Pinion with his dog, Spock. All photos from Melody Brownell Pinion.
Missing person: Mother and friends searching for 34-year-old man after dog found dead
– Longtime North County resident Todd Pinion is missing, and family and friends are worried about him and currently searching for him.
A missing person’s report was filed at 2:30 a.m. Thursday with the Atascadero Police Department, the city confirmed.
Todd Joseph Pinion
- Age: 34
- Height: 5’10”
- Build: Very thin
- Hair: Long brown hair
- Details: Todd may be carrying a distinctive red leather fox mask. He has distinctive tattoos (see photos below). He owns a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, which is currently in need of repair.
Todd was last seen near a Motel 6 in Atascadero early on Wednesday, Oct. 23. He doesn’t have a cell phone, and was using free WiFi on a laptop, friends said. His friends told the Paso Robles Daily News that Todd is currently unemployed and sometimes homeless.
Todd told his friends he was seeking help from social services, health insurance, and was applying for disability. “I have been couch surfing,” he told a friend.
Todd said he was in pain from a bicycle accident. He said he was riding the Bob Jones Trail a while back and accidentally ran into an unmarked chain, fractured his skull, and sustained neck and upper back injuries.
“Other than his last known location…his dog was found deceased on Cuesta Grade,” near the bottom of the grade, his mother, Melody Brownell Pinion, said.
She is heading to San Luis Obispo County from out of state to look for Todd. She should arrive here on Saturday. She is hoping friends of Todd can provide more details about his recent whereabouts.
Friends and family are searching the Cuesta Grade area, and the California Highway Patrol has deployed a helicopter to assist, Melody said.
“Everyone, this is my son,” Melody shared on social media. “Please have a heart. We just found his dog dead on Cuesta Grade and have filed a missing persons report.” In 2019, Todd met NSYNC boy band member Lance Bass while at Eberle Winery, and was featured in a news article.
Todd graduated from Atascadero High School in 2008 and previously worked at Eberle Winery and Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort. His social media profile describes him as an “Empath, sound healer, writer, arts and crafts creator, singer… Love is great.”
Friends of Todd have posted appeals for information online:
- Jamie Nicole: “Hey everyone, please be on the lookout for Todd Pinion! He has such a big heart. I pray he is found safely.”
- Mandii Pierce: “Attention everyone in the Five Cities area! I’m looking for my best friend who’s been missing since the 23rd. His name is Todd. He may be wearing a leather fox mask and multicolored leggings.”
- Shanna Payton: “Still missing: Todd Pinion messaged on the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 23, I am trying to gather photo screenshots so I can try to track down his absolute last message for a better timeline. I’ve included some photos of close-ups of his tattoos as well as they are identifiable. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and who has shared. Please keep sharing our posts and keeping this active on social media. My mother and I are flying in tomorrow but have been in contact with the SLO County Sherrif’s Office and APD. This missing persons case is now being converted to an investigation and we are waiting on a call from a detective. Mom and I are trying to gather resources currently to coordinate a ground search. If anyone knows of anybody with a drone to search down in the valley on the west side of Cuesta Grade, anyone who’s willing to let us borrow ATV’s or horses to search the trails on. Anything at all would be helpful. We’ve also been in contact with KSBY to hopefully get this on air and their social media pages as well. We’re also looking into search and rescue dogs, anyone with resources or contacts to someone local with a fully trained search and rescue dog please message me or Melody Brownell Pinion. Again, thank you, everyone, for your efforts and support. Your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes mean a great deal to my family and I. We are distraught and just want Todd to be found safely.
Todd Pinion’s family and friends urge everyone with information to come forward to help bring Todd home. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call Melody Pinion at (805) 712-9777 or the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051 (Case #24-1894).
Todd Pinion may be carrying a distinctive red leather fox mask.
Todd Pinion once met celebrity Lance Bass while at Eberle Winery.
Todd Pinion with his dog, Spock.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove Arroyo Grande as a possible sighting, and to add more details.
– News story by Publisher Scott David Brennan
