(KRON) — A 66-year-old man from Boulder Creek, James David Collier, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the fatal shootings of two men in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
On March 24, the bodies of Colter White, 53, and Sean Pfeffer, 45, were found shot to death in the back of a pickup truck parked along Highway 35, near Castle Rock State Park in Santa Clara County. According to the California Highway Patrol, both men had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Detectives soon identified Collier as the prime suspect in the case. Strikingly, Pfeffer had named Collier in a Facebook post just a day before he was found dead. In the emotional message posted on March 23, Pfeffer warned, “If today isn’t work out know that it was James Collier… I’m rolling down there right now Jimmy I hope you shoot me.”
Court documents suggest the killings likely occurred on March 23. Pfeffer also mentioned Collier over-working his cousin in the post but provided no further context. He lived in a remote cabin in the Santa Cruz Mountains and was close friends with White.
On April 9, a CHP SWAT team and Golden Gate Division investigators executed a search warrant at Collier’s home in Boulder Creek. Evidence recovered led to his arrest on Sunday, April 13.
Collier was booked into the Santa Clara County jail and formally charged with two counts of murder.
“This case highlights the strength of our law enforcement partnerships in protecting our community,” said Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen. CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Don Goodbrand added, “I want to commend our detectives for their incredible dedication.”
Collier is set to make his first court appearance Monday afternoon at the Hall of Justice.
