For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

On March 25, 2019 at about 11 am, EDSO was dispatched to a report of a stabbing and carjacking on Tahoe Mountain Road in South Lake Tahoe. The victim, who worked for a local automotive dealership, said he was stabbed during a test drive by Jonathan Paget. The victim was able to escape the vehicle and provided a description of the suspect, vehicle and direction of travel. An EDSO deputy arrived on scene and due to the severity of the injury to the victim, immediately transported him to Barton Hospital in his patrol vehicle.

Another EDSO Deputy traveling south on Highway 89, along with CHP, observed a matching vehicle, a white Dodge Durango. CHP went into pursuit with the Durango as it failed to yield to them.  The Durango crashed into a snow berm near the county line and the driver, Paget, ran from the vehicle. Paget, a South Lake Tahoe resident, was arrested by EDSO for attempt murder and carjacking.  The victim, a 29 year old male, is expected to survive from his injuries.

Great teamwork by the law enforcement agencies in South Lake Tahoe led to the quick and safe arrest of a violent suspect.

For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

On February 20, 2019, at about 4:30 PM, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a report of an unresponsive female in a vehicle at a local church parking lot. Fire and medical personal responded and declared the female deceased upon their arrival. When EDSO Deputies arrived, they recognized the vehicle as belonging to missing person, Brooke Harris.

EDSO Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to conduct the death investigation. Brooke has been positively identified and next of kin notifications have been completed. Cause of death is under investigation and at this time there is no evidence of foul play.

For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have identified 26 year-old Tanner M. Seals as the suspect responsible for the murder of Helen McKinney. The investigation revealed that Tanner and McKinney had no previous relationship and did not know each other. It is also believed that Tanner was responsible for the theft of McKinney’s vehicle.

Tanner is currently in custody in the Adams County Jail in Washington State on outstanding warrants, on unrelated charges. Tanner was interviewed by EDSO Detectives and will be extradited to El Dorado County where he will be charged with murder. 

In order to preserve the integrity of the investigation and provide a prosecutable case to the District Attorney’s Office, we will not be providing any further information on the investigation. McKinney’s family has also asked that their privacy be respected and do not with to provide any interviews at this time.