Detectives Arrest Third Suspect in Golf Course Murder

Source: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a third suspect for the 2018 murder of Joseph Martin Govey. At 4:48 p.m. today, detectives arrested 33-year-old Benjamin Mersai of Grover Beach. Mersai was arrested as he was recreating at the same golf course where the decedent’s remains were located, in the 1400-block of Golf Course Lane in Nipomo. Mersai will be booked at the Main Jail for murder (felony), conspiracy (felony) and accessory to murder (felony) and will be held without bail. 

Suspects previously arrested for this case include 35-year-old Kimberly Machleit and 37-year-old Donald Anderson, both from Santa Maria. Both suspects remain in custody and the court has ordered that Machleit be held without bail. 

Benjamin Mersai (Photo: SBSO)

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