On Wednesday The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls concerning an airplane crash at the Georgetown Airport. CAL Fire, Georgetown Fire, Garden Valley Fire and El Dorado County Fire personel responded to the airport along with Sheriff’s deputies. A single engine plane was located down an embankment next to the runway. Two adult males sustained moderate injuries and were rescued from the plane. Both victims were transported via air ambulance to Sutter Roseville Hospital. The scene was secured and turned over to the FAA and NTSB.

On September 13, 2015 at approximately 1100 hours, Cal Fire requested El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office’s assistance after discovering the possible remains of two human bodies located in a burnt residence at 4646 Highway 193 in Greenwood.  Arson Investigators along with El Dorado County Sheriff Detectives responded and assisted in the investigation.

            A Search warrant was served at the burnt residence and ultimately the remains of three bodies were located.  The remains were removed and sent to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office for examination and identification and samples later sent to the California Department of Justice for DNA analysis.  The residence belonged to Adam Buchanan of 500 Cambridge Drive, Benicia, California.

The Department of Justice later confirmed the identities of the remains as Adam Buchanan (38 yrs. old), Molly McAfee (37 yrs. old) and their eight year old son.  Forensic evidence also confirmed the three victims suffered from gunshot wounds prior to the fire.

            Benicia Police Department contacted the 16 year old son of Adam Buchanan at the Cambridge Drive residence and notified him of the fire at the cabin located in Greenwood, Ca.  The son told officers that his father Adam Buchanan, his father’s fiancée Molly McAfee and his 8 year old half-brother had driven to the Greenwood cabin and that he stayed behind.

            A search warrant was served at the Cambridge Drive residence and the Buchanan Construction Company owned by Adam Buchanan located at 4868 E. 2^nd Street in Benicia, Ca.  Recovered from the residence was a white Ford F150.  Inside the Ford F150 was evidence contrary to the 16 year olds earlier statement.

            On September 19^th a purse containing identification of Molly McAfee and a wallet containing identification of Adam Buchanan was found along with a firearm and ammunition in a business park near the Buchanan Construction Company location.  The firearm and all property was collected and sent for processing at the Department of Justice Laboratory.

On October 1, 2015 the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office arrested the 16 year old son Nolan Buchanan on charges of murder in connection with this investigation which is ongoing.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the Benicia Police Department, the Department of Justice and the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.  We would also like to thank the citizens and business owners who have assisted us in this investigation.

Greenwood Homicide / Arson Investigation

Press Conference Announcement

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a press conference at the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services building.  There will be information provided regarding the fire in Greenwood, the remains that were located inside of the residence and the arrest of a suspect in the case.

The press conference will commence at 1600 hours, October 1, 2015.  The Office of Emergency Services is located to the rear of 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA and can be accessed via the stairwell between buildings A and B.  Parking is located in front of the government center or across the street at the Library.