Anonymous
Update by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
A call that came in as a check-the-welfare last week is being investigated as a homicide by Sheriff’s detectives. On Thursday, July 15, 2021 at approximately 2:35 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 600-block of N. La Cumbre road to check the welfare of a subject. When they arrived, deputies contacted 29-year-old Casey Tolivar of Santa Barbara at the residence.
During their initial investigation, deputies learned that Casey had assaulted a victim with an object, and that the victim fled the residence with serious injuries. Deputies also discovered a male decedent inside the residence, who is identified as Casey’s father, 72-year-old Bradley Tolivar of Santa Barbara.
Casey was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon (felony), and booked at the Main Jail. Sheriff’s detectives and forensics technicians responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
The cause of Bradley’s death was not immediately apparent; however, it was later determined to be suspicious, and not from natural causes. Based on their initial investigation, detectives re-booked Casey for suspicion of murder (felony). Casey remains in custody at the Main Jail with a bail of $2,030,000. Sheriff’s detectives do not believe there are any additional outstanding suspects or victims related to this case.
During an autopsy of the decedent on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, the preliminary cause and manner of death were determined to be homicide by blunt force trauma. The finalized coroner’s report is pending toxicology, which usually takes between six and eight weeks. Detectives are conducting a thorough investigation into this homicide that remains ongoing.
Santa Barbara Man Charged with Murder
Source: District Attorney of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Joyce E. Dudley announced today that a felony complaint containing three charges has been filed against Casey Tolivar, age 29, of Santa Barbara, California. The complaint charges Casey Tolivar with willful, premeditated and deliberate First Degree Murder under Penal Code section 187(a), in connection with the beating death of Bradley Tolivar, age 76, occurring approximately July 11, 2021. It is also alleged that the defendant personally used a deadly weapon causing death within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022(b): to wit, a 33 ½ inch x 2 x 2 steel bar. In addition, Casey Tolivar is also charged with attempted premeditated murder under Penal Code section 664/187(a) for an assault of a second victim occurring on July 15, 2021. Additionally it is alleged that during the attempted murder, Casey Tolivar personally used a deadly weapon within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022(b): to wit, a rock. Mr. Tolivar is also charged with a third charge of assault with a deadly weapon, to wit, a glass bottle, on July 15, 2021.
The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned in Department 8 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court this afternoon. If anyone has additional information they would like to provide, they can contact Detective Adam Alegria of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 681-4100.
