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.