Ventura Sheriff Reopens 1988 Cold Case Homicide Investigation

Nature of Incident:                        Cold Case Homicide Investigation
Report Number:                             88-27007
Location:                                        1000 block of Box Canyon Road, Simi Valley
Date & Time:                                  April 16th, 1988 @ 12:44 P.M.
Unit(s) Responsible:                      Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau / Cold Case Unit
Victim: Richard Smith, 43, Simi Valley

Narrative:

Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit Investigators have re-opened a cold homicide case from 1988.

On 04/16/1988, at 12:44 P.M, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1000 block of Box Canyon Road, in the unincorporated area of Simi Valley, after a male subject was found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The decedent was identified as Richard Smith, who was living in a trailer near the location where he was found deceased. This area is remote and not many people knew where Richard lived. Richard was 43 years of age at the time of his death. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau initially investigated this case in 1988, until all leads were exhausted, and the case became cold.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit have recently re-opened this case after re-examining evidence and are asking the public for assistance. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Investigator Carlos Macias at (805) 384-4734, or email him at carlos.macias@ventura.org

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).