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Nancy Bennallack’s killer identified by genetic genealogy analysis

More than five decades after Nancy Bennallack was stabbed to death in her Sacramento County apartment bedroom, her cold case has been solved with the same technology used to solve the Golden State Killer’s case, authorities said. “Time is the justice that examines all offenders. Nancy was never forgotten,” Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said while referring to the 51 years the case spanned. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that Richard John Davis killed the then-28-year-old Bennallack in 1970. Davis had lived in the same apartment complex as Bennallack when he murdered her, authorities said. He died in 1997 from what investigators believe was related to alcoholism. “Due to the fact that Richard Davis is deceased, sadly, there won’t be any form of legal justice, but Linda and Tom, I hope this brings you, Nancy, and your family some peace,” said retired homicide detective Micki Links, who started working on Bennallack’s case in 2005 Timeline of murder Bennallack, who worked as a court reporter, and her fiancé returned to her apartment after a night out around 11:30 pm on Oct 25. Her fiancé, who also worked in the court system, returned to his home later that night.The following day, Bennallack did not show up for work. Her co-worker called her son de ella and asked him to check on her. With the help of the apartment manager, the co-worker’s son opened up Bennallack’s apartment and found her murdered. Sometime between 11:30 that night and the early morning hours of Oct. 26, Davis broke in. Links said Davis put tape over her fingertips, climbed up the second-story balcony of Bennallack’s apartment and stabbed her over 30 times, almost decapitating her. Bennallack also had wounds on her body de ella that indicated she fought with Davis, Links said. Davis had cut himself during the assault, and a trail of blood led from her apartment to the middle of the apartment complex parking lot. His DNA profile from the blood had been in state and national databases for years, and no matches were found. Then in 2019, the Sacramento County cold case team began a forensic genetic genealogy investigation, which is where the DNA profile is matched with relatives to narrow down who the suspect is. Links said a relative of Davis provided their DNA, and he was confirmed as the murderer on July 21. “All the while, time was passing these past 50 years, science was evolving,” Schubert said. The sheriff’s office said 11 cases with 17 murders, 59 rape cases and three unidentified remains have been solved using the new genetic testing. The technology is the same that linked Joseph DeAngelo to the murders of 13 people. Davis lived near Bennallack in the same apartment complex “In one month of Nancy’s murder, the sheriff’s office interviewed over 500 people,” Schubert said. Davis and his roommate were included in those interviews, but both alibied each other, she said. Davis, who was 27 years old at the time, had lived in apartment 23, while Bennallack lived in apartment 17. Investigators believe Davis could see across the pool into her apartment de ella, which could have led to the motivation behind her murder de ella . “Clearly, I intended to do what he did that day,” Links said. “This man put masking tape over every one of his fingers, I guess gloves weren’t that easy to find those days to conceal his fingerprints. Were he alive, I think we’re talking premeditated murder.”Links said Davis had no previous violent felony convictions but did have a DUI arrest.Family reactsThe Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office read out a letter from Nancy’s sister Linda Cox at Wednesday’s conference.“ After almost 52 years of missing my sister, we owe Micki Links so much gratitude. How many times my husband, Tom and myself have said Nancy would love our ranch, all our animals and land with wide open spaces. We have missed sharing our children and grandchildren and so much more,” part of the letter read. Bennallack’s fiancé, Sacramento County’s chief public defender Farris Salamy, died in 2014, “no doubt always wondering who was the man who took his fiancé,” Schubert said. Schubert made references to how different the times were back in 1970. “To give everyone a perspective on the meaning of this case, being here today, we have to start with 1970,” she said. “In 1970, the United States population was 200 million people, today it sits at 332 million people. The population in Sacramento County was 635,000. Today it sits at 1.6 million.”Schubert referenced how much a home and a gallon of gas cost compared to now. Richard Nixon was president at the time, and Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California. Reagan won a second term just a few days after Bennallack’s murder, Schubert said. She went on to say that Reagan died 20 years ago, “that tells you how long we’re talking about.””There’s no doubt that justice, in this case, was dormant for decades,” Schubert said. “It is passion and persistence that brings these answers.” Previous coverage in video below.

More than five decades after Nancy Bennallack was stabbed to death in her Sacramento County apartment bedroom, her cold case has been solved with the same technology used to solve the Golden State Killer’s case, authorities said.

“Time is the justice that examines all offenders. Nancy was never forgotten,” Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said while referring to the 51 years the case spanned.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that Richard John Davis killed the then-28-year-old Bennallack in 1970. Davis had lived in the same apartment complex as Bennallack when he murdered her, authorities said. He died in 1997 from what investigators believe was related to alcoholism.

“Due to the fact that Richard Davis is deceased, sadly, there won’t be any form of legal justice, but Linda and Tom, I hope this brings you, Nancy, and your family some peace,” said retired homicide detective Micki Links , who started working on Bennallack’s case in 2005

Timeline of murder

Bennallack, who worked as a court reporter, and her fiancé returned to her apartment after a night out around 11:30 pm on Oct. 25. Her fiancé, who also worked in the court system, returned to his home later that night.

The following day, Bennallack did not show up for work. Her co-worker called her son de ella and asked him to check on her. With the help of the apartment manager, the co-worker’s son opened up Bennallack’s apartment and found her murdered.

Sometime between 11:30 that night and the early morning hours of Oct. 26, Davis broke in.

Links said Davis put tape over his fingertips, climbed up the second-story balcony of Bennallack’s apartment and stabbed her over 30 times, almost decapitating her. Bennallack also had wounds on her body de ella that indicated she fought with Davis, Links said.

Davis had cut himself during the assault, and a trail of blood led from her apartment to the middle of the apartment complex parking lot. His DNA profile from the blood had been in state and national databases for years, and no matches were found.

Then in 2019, the Sacramento County cold case team began a forensic genetic genealogy investigation, which is where the DNA profile is matched with relatives to narrow down who the suspect is. Links said a relative of Davis provided their DNA, and he was confirmed as the murderer on July 21.

“All the while, time was passing these past 50 years, science was evolving,” Schubert said.

The sheriff’s office said 11 cases with 17 murders, 59 rape cases and three unidentified remains have been solved using the new genetic testing. The technology is the same that linked Joseph DeAngelo to the murders of 13 people.

Davis lived near Bennallack in the same apartment complex

“In one month of Nancy’s murder, the sheriff’s office interviewed over 500 people,” Schubert said. Davis and his roommate were included in those interviews, but both alibied each other, she said.

Davis, who was 27 years old at the time, had lived in apartment 23, while Bennallack lived in apartment 17. Investigators believe Davis could see across the pool into her apartment, which could have led to the motivation behind her murder.

“Clearly, I intended to do what he did that day,” Links said. “This man put masking tape over every one of his fingers, I guess gloves weren’t that easy to find those days to conceal his fingerprints. Were he alive, I think we’re talking premeditated murder.”

Links said Davis had no previous violent felony convictions but did have a DUI arrest.

Family reacts

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office read out a letter from Nancy’s sister Linda Cox at Wednesday’s conference.

“After almost 52 years of missing my sister, we owe Micki Links so much gratitude. How many times my husband, Tom and myself have said Nancy would love our ranch, all our animals and land with wide open spaces. We have missed sharing our children and grandchildren and so much more,” part of the letter read.

Bennallack’s fiancé, Sacramento County’s chief public defender Farris Salamy, died in 2014, “no doubt always wondering who was the man who took his fiancé,” Schubert said.

Schubert made references to how different the times were back in 1970.

“To give everyone a perspective on the meaning of this case, being here today, we have to start with 1970,” she said. “In 1970, the United States population was 200 million people, today it sits at 332 million people. The population in Sacramento County was 635,000. Today it sits at 1.6 million.”

Schubert referenced how much a home and a gallon of gas cost compared to now. Richard Nixon was president at the time, and Ronald Reagan was the Governor of California. Reagan won a second term just a few days after Bennallack’s murder, Schubert said.

She went on to say that Reagan died 20 years ago, “that tells you how long we’re talking about.”

“There’s no doubt that justice, in this case, was dormant for decades,” Schubert said. “It is passion and persistence that brings these answers.”

Previous coverage in video below.

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Missing 16-year-old in Truckee being treated as an abduction case

The 16-year-old missing teenager who was last seen at a party in Truckee is now being treated as an abduction case, Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sunday night. An anonymous tip line has been established and a $50,000 reward is being offered to help find Kiely Rodni. Rodni went missing early Saturday morning near the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, authorities said. Her car de ella, a silver 2013 Honda CRV with California license plate “8YUR127” is also missing, which is why law enforcement believes she has been abducted. She’s described as being about 5 feet, 7 inches and 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing green pants and a black tank top. She also has numerous piercings and was said to have jewelry on. Authorities said Rodni was at a party with over 100 other teens and young adults. She was last seen around 12:30 am on Saturday. Ella’s phone has been out of service since the party. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office shared a video message from ella’s mother, Lindsey Rodni-Nieman, who asked for her daughter’s safe return home. “If anybody else out there knows where she is, know anything about where she might be, if you have any ideas or thoughts please come forward,” Rodni-Nieman said in the video. The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said the search for Rodni is active and are asking the community for help. Anyone with information about the teen’s whereabouts is asked to call the tipline 530-581-6320, option 7. Rodni’s friends and family have also set up a website, findkiely.com, and an email address, [email protected]. Her family de ella confirmed a $50,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to her being found.

The 16-year-old missing teenager who was last seen at a party in Truckee is now being treated as an abduction case, Placer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Sunday night.

An anonymous tip line has been established and a $50,000 reward is being offered to help find Kiely Rodni.

Rodni went missing early Saturday morning near the Prosser Family Campground in Truckee, authorities said. Her car, a silver 2013 Honda CRV with California license plate “8YUR127” is also missing, which is why law enforcement believes she has been abducted.

She’s described as being about 5 feet, 7 inches and 115 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing green pants and a black tank top. She also has numerous piercings and was said to have jewelry on.

Authorities said Rodni was at a party with over 100 other teens and young adults. She was last seen around 12:30 am on Saturday. Her phone has been out of service since the party.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office shared a video message from Rodni’s mother, Lindsey Rodni-Nieman, who asked for her daughter’s safe return home.

“If anybody else out there knows where she is, know anything about where she might be, if you have any ideas or thoughts please come forward,” Rodni-Nieman said in the video.

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The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said the search for Rodni is active and are asking the community for help.

Anyone with information about the teen’s whereabouts is asked to call the tipline 530-581-6320, option 7.

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Rodni’s friends and family have also set up a website, findkiely.com, and an email address, [email protected].

Her family confirmed a $50,000 reward is now being offered for information that leads to her being found.

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2 killed, 2 injured in overnight Sacramento crash, police say

2 killed, 2 injured in overnight Sacramento crash, police say



ROUNDUP OF EVENTS HAPPENING ACROSS THE SACRAMENTO REGION. HERE ARE THE TOP STORIES FOR THIS SUNDAY. THIS IS 16-YEAR-OLD KIELY RODNI. SHE WAS LAST SEEN AT THE PLACER FAMILY CAMPGROUND IN TRUCKEE AT A PARTY WITH MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE. FOR VEHICLE, A SILVER HONDA CRV IS ALSO MISSING, AND HER PHONE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE SEEN HER OR KNOW WHERE SHE IS, CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. THE NUMBER IS ON YOUR SCREEN. THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS SEARCHING FOR THE SUSPECT IN A DEADLY SHOOTING AT A HOME IN RANCHO CORDOVA. A WOMAN CALLED SAYING HER BOYFRIEND HAD BEEN SHOT. THE MAN LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL. NEIGHBORS TOLD KCRA3 THEY BELIEVED A PARTY WAS GOING ON WHEN THE SHOOTING HAPPENED. DETECTIVES ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION TO GIVE THEM A CALL. THE WEATHER NOW, TAMARA BERG IS HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR SUNDAY. TAMARA: IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO HEAD OUT THE DOOR, HEADING OUTSIDE, YOU MAY JUST WANT A LONGSLEEVED LAYER TO GET BY. IN MODESTO, 65. YOU PROBABLY DON’T NEED MUCH IF YOU ARE OUT THE DOOR IN AUBURN. HOUR-BY-HOUR, TODAY IS GOING TO BE JUST AS WARM AS YESTERDAY, RIGHT TO THE LOW 90’S. LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BRIGHT SUNSHINE AND THAT COOLING DELTA

2 killed, 2 injured in overnight Sacramento crash, police say

Two people died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash overnight in Sacramento, authorities said.Video player above: Top Stories from Aug. 7, 2022The crash happened on Sunday around 12:48 am at the intersection of Garden Highway and Northgate Boulevard, the Sacramento Police Department said in a release. Fire crews at the scene said a man and woman of one vehicle died at the scene. Two others from the second vehicle were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. It’s unclear what led up to the crash. This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

Two people died and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash overnight in Sacramento, authorities said.

  • Video player above: Top Stories from Aug. 7, 2022

The crash happened on Sunday around 12:48 am at the intersection of Garden Highway and Northgate Boulevard, the Sacramento Police Department said in a release.

Fire crews at the scene said a man and woman of one vehicle died at the scene. Two others from the second vehicle were taken to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

It’s unclear what led up to the crash.

This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

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I-80 westbound reopen at Clipper Gap due to overturned vehicle

One person was injured after a vehicle overturned on Interstate 80 north of Auburn, authorities said. The area is now seeing significant traffic delays. The incident happened Sunday afternoon on the westbound lanes of the highway near Clipper Gap in Placer County, Caltrans said on social media. Clipper Gap is between Auburn and Colfax. One person was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, according to Placer Hills Fire Protection District on social media. Photos from the district show a vehicle blocking most of the road. Placer authorities said westbound lanes were initially closed but are now reopened. They do warn that traffic is still moving slowly. Follow our real-time traffic map for the latest.(App users, click here to see a real-time traffic map.)It’s unclear how the trailer overturned. No other details were released. The California Highway Patrol, Placer County Sheriff’s Office and local first responders also responded to the crash. This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

One person was injured after a vehicle overturned on Interstate 80 north of Auburn, authorities said. The area is now seeing significant traffic delays.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon on the westbound lanes of the highway near Clipper Gap in Placer County, Caltrans said on social media. Clipper Gap is between Auburn and Colfax.

One person was taken to an area hospital with minor injuries, according to Placer Hills Fire Protection District on social media. Photos from the district show a vehicle blocking most of the road.

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Placer authorities said westbound lanes were initially closed but are now reopened. They do warn that traffic is still moving slowly.

Follow our real-time traffic map for the latest.

(App users, click here to see a real-time traffic map.)

It’s unclear how the trailer overturned. No other details were released.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The California Highway Patrol, Placer County Sheriff’s Office and local first responders also responded to the crash.

This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

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1 killed in Sacramento County shooting, police say

One man is dead after a late-night shooting in Rancho Cordova, authorities said. The shooting happened on Friday around 11:21 pm in the 3000 block of Ramsgate Way, which is just off of Mather Field Road and near Folsom Boulevard, the Rancho Cordova Police Department said in a release on Saturday. Officers arrived after receiving a call from a woman that said her boyfriend had been shot and was lying on the ground. Life-saving measures were administered when authorities arrived and he was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. It’s unclear what led up to the shooting. No details on a suspect were released by police. Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to the shooting to contact the sheriff’s office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling 916-874-TIPS (8477). This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

One man is dead after a late-night shooting in Rancho Cordova, authorities said.

The shooting happened on Friday around 11:21 pm in the 3000 block of Ramsgate Way, which is just off of Mather Field Road and near Folsom Boulevard, the Rancho Cordova Police Department said in a release on Saturday.

Officers arrived after receiving a call from a woman that said her boyfriend had been shot and was lying on the ground. Life-saving measures were administered when authorities arrived and he was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

It’s unclear what led up to the shooting. No details on a suspect were released by police.

Detectives are asking anyone with information relating to the shooting to contact the sheriff’s office at 916-874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling 916-874-TIPS (8477).

This is a developing story, stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

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White House lightning strike victim ID’d as Brooks Lambertson

IS KCRA 3 NEWS AT 6:00 PM BRITTANY: NEW TONIGHT, WE HAVE LEARNED THE THIRD VICTIM IN A DEADLY LIGHTNING STRIKE IN WASHINGTON, DC WAS A FOLSOM NATIVE. CITY NATIONAL BANK SAYS IT WAS THE EMPLOYER OF 29-YEAR-OLD BROOKS LAMBERTSON. THIS IS HIM ON YOUR SCREEN. WE HAVE CONFIRMED WITH HIS FAMILY THAT LAMBERTSON WENT TO VISTA DEL LAG GEORGE SPRINGER HIGH SCHOOL IN FOLSO

Folsom native identified as third Washington DC lightning strike victim

One of the three people who died in a Washington, DC, lighting strike this week has been identified by family as Northern California native Brooks Lambertson. The 29-year-old from Folsom died from his injuries on Friday afternoon, a day after the lightning struck several people at Lafayette Park, which sits directly across the street from the White House, Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said in a news conference Thursday evening. Couple James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, both of Janesville, Wisconsin, died on Thursday. Two other people were injured. | READ MORE | 3 dead, 2 in critical condition after lightning strike near the White HouseBrooks grew up in Folsom and graduated from Vista del Lago High School, his family confirmed to KCRA 3 on Saturday. He was the vice president of City National Bank in Los Angeles, according to a release from the bank. He had been in Washington, DC, for a business trip.”Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and unwavering positivity,” City National Bank said. “His sudden loss from him is devastating for all who knew him, and his family, friends and colleagues from him appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have poured in from around the country.” Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

One of the three people who died in a Washington, DC, lighting strike this week has been identified by family as Northern California native Brooks Lambertson.

The 29-year-old from Folsom died from his injuries on Friday afternoon, a day after the lightning struck several people at Lafayette Park, which sits directly across the street from the White House, Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said in a news conference Thursday evening. Couple James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, both of Janesville, Wisconsin, died on Thursday. Two other people were injured.

| READ MORE | 3 dead, 2 in critical condition after lightning strike near the White House

Brooks grew up in Folsom and graduated from Vista del Lago High School, his family confirmed to KCRA 3 on Saturday.

He was the vice president of City National Bank in Los Angeles, according to a release from the bank. He had been in Washington, DC, for a business trip.

“Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and unwavering positivity,” City National Bank said. “His sudden loss of him is devastating for all who knew him, and his family, friends and colleagues appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have poured in from around the country.”

Brooks Lambertson

The 29-year-old was also a graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

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Puppy rescued from McKinney Fire near Klamath River

A little bit of good news and a lot of luck coming out of a destructive wildfire burning near the California-Oregon border as a photojournalist saved a puppy wandering around the ruins of the McKinney Fire. Jonathan Rivas said he arrived at the community of Klamath River early Saturday morning, just hours after the wildfire broke out where he said there was a lot of damage, with trees and homes burned. Rivas said he was finishing filming one neighborhood when he heard yelping. “I heard a yelp in the distance, but I didn’t really know what it was, I thought it was an injured deer or one of the wildlife that’s there,” the AIO Filmz photojournalist said. “All of a sudden, this little puppy comes and runs up to me. I was super shocked to see that come from the rubble there.”The puppy was clearly excited to see Rivas in the video.Watch the full rescue belowThe puppy allowed Rivas to pick him up and put him in the back of his car. “He was very excited, he was wagging his tail, I am talking to him like I’m talking to my dog, I picked him up, put him in the trunk of my car,” Rivas said. He gave him some water before driving to Yreka and dropping him off at a shelter. Rivas posted the video on social media, where he found the puppy’s family. The puppy has been reunited with his family. “Reuniting it with their family and after hearing their story, it makes me feel good, I am just happy, I was at the right place at the right time,” Rivas said.

A little bit of good news and a lot of luck coming out of a destructive wildfire burning near the California-Oregon border as a photojournalist saved a puppy wandering around the ruins of the McKinney Fire.

Jonathan Rivas said he arrived at the community of Klamath River early Saturday morning, just hours after the wildfire broke out where he said there was a lot of damage, with trees and homes burned.

Rivas said he was finishing filming one neighborhood when he heard yelping.

“I heard a yelp in the distance, but I didn’t really know what it was, I thought it was an injured deer or one of the wildlife that’s there,” the AIO Filmz photojournalist said. “All of a sudden, this little puppy comes and runs up to me. I was super shocked to see that come from the rubble there.”

The puppy was clearly excited to see Rivas in the video.

Watch the full rescue below

The puppy allowed Rivas to pick him up and put him in the back of his car.

“He was very excited, he was wagging his tail, I am talking to him like I’m talking to my dog, I picked him up, put him in the trunk of my car,” Rivas said.

Puppy rescued from McKinney Fire

AIO FILMZ

Puppy rescued from McKinney Fire by photojournalist taking video of damage near Klamath River.

He gave him some water before driving to Yreka and dropping him off at a shelter.

Rivas posted the video on social media, where he found the puppy’s family. The puppy has been reunited with its family of her.

“Reuniting it with their family and after hearing their story, it makes me feel good, I am just happy, I was at the right place at the right time,” Rivas said.

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UC Davis medical student and Navy vet dies after saving others in the American River

Family, classmates and professors are mourning the death of 30-year-old UC Davis medical student Joshua Brandon Crane. The five-year Navy veteran disappeared under the water Friday at a social event he organized for his medical school colleagues.”He saw some women in distress in the San Juan Rapids,” his sister Jessica Crane told KCRA 3. “No hesitation, he jumped off his board and he got in the water and got them out.”Sacramento Metro Fire and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office recovered his body in the American River on Saturday.”In every sense of the word, he was a hero,” his sister said. “He was a hero to a lot of people, everyone views him that way. He’s my biggest hero.”Crane was born in Chico and raised with his sister from him by their single mother. Their father died 29 years ago Monday. He went to Chico High School, then joined the navy at the age of 18. He served for five years and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and in Okinawa, Japan. When he returned, he enrolled in Chico State for undergraduate classes, with dreams of going to medical school.”He was holding out for Davis,” his sister said. “That was the big one.” Fast forward to this summer, Joshua was a fourth-year student at the UC Davis School of Medicine. The associate dean of students, Dr. Sharad Jain, told KCRA 3 he was working toward a residence in internal medicine. He dreamed of doing that at UC Davis, as well. During his time in medical school, Dr. Jain said Joshua volunteered with people experiencing homelessness, refugees who were new to the Sacramento area, and vulnerable and marginalized communities. Dr. Jain and Joshua met on Thursday, the day before he disappeared under the American River. The two had a special bond. “We talked about his hopes of him, his dreams of him, and his ideas of him for a career ahead,” he reflected. “I felt like he was at a really good place at the time, so I think that made this loss even more tragic.” Right now, the medical school is working with Joshua’s family to arrange a memorial service. His classmates have put together a GoFundMe to help his family in the meantime. If you would like to help, click here.

Family, classmates and professors are mourning the death of 30-year-old UC Davis medical student Joshua Brandon Crane.

The five-year Navy veteran disappeared under the water Friday at a social event he organized for his medical school colleagues.

“He saw some women in distress in the San Juan Rapids,” his sister Jessica Crane told KCRA 3. “No hesitation, he jumped off his board and he got in the water and got them out.”

Sacramento Metro Fire and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office recovered his body in the American River on Saturday.

“In every sense of the word, he was a hero,” his sister said. “He was a hero to a lot of people, everyone views him that way. He’s my biggest hero.”

Crane was born in Chico and raised with his sister by their single mother.

Their father died 29 years ago Monday.

He went to Chico High School, then joined the navy at the age of 18.

He served for five years and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and in Okinawa, Japan.

When he returned, he enrolled in Chico State for undergraduate classes, with dreams of going to medical school.

“He was holding out for Davis,” his sister said. “That was the big one.”

Fast forward to this summer, Joshua was a fourth-year student at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

The associate dean of students, Dr. Sharad Jain, told KCRA 3 he was working toward a residency in internal medicine. I have dreamed of doing that at UC Davis, as well.

Joshua Brandon Crane

UC Davis School of Medicine

During his time in medical school, Dr. Jain said Joshua volunteered with people experiencing homelessness, refugees who were new to the Sacramento area, and vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Dr. Jain and Joshua met on Thursday, the day before he disappeared under the American River. The two had a special bond.

“We talked about his hopes, his dreams, and his ideas for a career ahead,” he reflected. “I felt like he was at a really good place at the time, so I think that made this loss even more tragic.”

Right now, the medical school is working with Joshua’s family to arrange a memorial service.

His classmates have put together a GoFundMe to help his family in the meantime. If you would like to help, click here.

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