Sheriff’s Office solves 1983 murder of Dorothy ‘Toby’ Tate
Dorothy Tate.
Investigators identify two suspects using modern forensic genealogy
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday, Jan. 20, that it has officially solved the 1983 murder of Dorothy “Toby” Tate, closing a case that remained unsolved for more than four decades.
On Nov. 15, 1983, deputies responded to a report of a suspicious van parked at a turnout along Highway 1 about 3 miles north of Hearst Castle. Inside the van, detectives found Tate’s body. She had been fatally shot. Investigators initially identified no suspects, and the case remained open as a cold case for many years.
Steven Richard Hardy.
Cold Case and Unsolved Homicide Detective Clint Cole reopened the investigation through an extensive review of original evidence, reports, and forensic material. Cole applied modern investigative techniques, including advanced DNA genealogy analysis.
Blood evidence recovered from the crime scene was submitted for forensic genealogy, which identified Steven Richard Hardy as a contributor. Investigators confirmed the identification through DNA comparison with a close family member.
Additional evidence from the original investigation included fingerprints recovered from a Coca-Cola can found at the scene. That evidence placed Charley Sneed at the crime scene. Investigators determined that Hardy and Sneed were residents of Texas at the time of the murder. Both men are now deceased, and investigators found no evidence indicating the involvement of additional suspects.
Charley Sneed.
Cole determined beyond a reasonable doubt that Hardy and Sneed were involved in Tate’s murder. Investigators concluded the crime likely occurred during a burglary or theft because property belonging to Tate was later pawned in California.
Cole has also assisted in solving other high-profile cases, including the murders of Kristin Smart and Nancy Woodrum.
“This case demonstrates the power of modern forensic science and the commitment of Detective Cole, who never stopped working to bring justice to victims and their families,” Sheriff Ian Parkinson said.
The sheriff’s office requested a review by the District Attorney’s Office, which confirmed that sufficient probable cause existed to support prosecution if the suspects had been alive. The case has now been officially closed as exceptionally cleared.
The sheriff’s office thanked Parabon Nanolabs and Head Geanologist CeCe Moore, Othram Labs, Shelby Liddell with the sheriff’s crime lab, and Dominick Rostenberg from the Phoenix Police Department for their assistance in the investigation.
