Man Arrested During Missing Person Investigation, Charged with Murder of Twain Harte Man 

December 10, 2021 – On October 7, 2021, detectives executed a search warrant at Purely Storage in Sonora during a missing person investigation. As a result of the search, detectives located a deceased male inside the storage unit, prompting a death investigation. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Craig Arthur Hale (pictured below) of Twain Harte.

Through several weeks of investigations, detectives were able to identify 49-year-old Steven Mathew Berrigan (pictured top, left) as the suspect. In addition to being charged for murder, Berrigan has also been charged with stealing the victim’s vehicle and identity theft. Berrigan is currently in custody in the Tuolumne County Dambacher Detention Center.

We extend our sincerest condolences to the Hale family and friends of Craig Hale.

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact Detective J. Lee at 209-694-2955.

Source: Tuolumne County Sheriff