Homicide Suspect Seth Cotten Arrested 

May 20, 2026 – NEVADA CITY, CA – Nevada County Sheriff's Office officials report that 45-year-old Jeremy Norton, of Nevada City, was located deceased by Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) deputies on April 11, an apparent victim of a shooting. A homicide investigation was launched by NCSO detectives that same day and Seth David Cotten, 33, of Nevada City, was identified early on as a suspect of interest.

Through the course of the investigation, it was learned Cotten had allegedly attempted to kill Norton approximately one week before his death on April 3 by shooting at him and a second victim. NCSO detectives investigated this incident in correlation with the homicide.

On April 16, NCSO detectives obtained a Ramey warrant to arrest Cotten for the attempted murder of the surviving victim from the first incident. However, Cotten appeared to be in hiding. NCSO detectives tracked Cotten down at a private residence on Lower Colfax Rd. in Grass Valley on the evening of May 18 and surrounded the property with support from NCSO’s Special Enforcement Detail, Critical Incident Negotiations Team, and Drone Team. Additional support was provided from Placer County Sheriff's Office, CAL FIRE NEU, Peardale Chicago Park Fire District, and Sierra Nevada Ambulance.

Cotten peacefully surrendered and was booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in the early morning hours of May 19 on the Ramey warrant.

NCSO detectives and the Nevada County District Attorney's Office are working closely together on these cases to bring justice to Norton and his family, and the second victim. Cotten remains the primary suspect in the murder of Norton and additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.

Source: Nevada County Sheriff's Office