Cold Case Homicide Investigation 

March 20, 2024 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that the Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit Investigators have re-opened a cold homicide case from 1988. 

On April 16, 1988, at 12:44 P.M., deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1000 block of Box Canyon Road, in the unincorporated area of Simi Valley, after a male subject was found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.  The decedent was identified as Richard Smith, who was living in a trailer near the location where he was found deceased.  This area is remote and not many people knew where Richard lived.  Richard was 43 years of age at the time of his death.  Investigators from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau initially investigated this case in 1988, until all leads were exhausted, and the case became cold.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit have recently re-opened this case after re-examining evidence and are asking the public for assistance.  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Investigator Carlos Macias at (805) 384-4734, or email him at carlos.macias@ventura.org.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).  

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office