NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — The suspect in a Nevada County cold case killing is behind bars after 12 years.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office says Eric Craig Hodges, 47 of Nevada City, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the killing of Delbert Wilder, 63 of Grass Valley.
Wilder was found dead at his property on Nov. 15, 2011 after deputies got a call for a welfare check. Deputies say he died from a gunshot wound.
After 12 years, the sheriff's office released a docuseries highlighting the case and calling on people to come forward. In the end, deputies found themselves with enough new evidence to present to the District Attorney's Office.
“Twelve years is a long time to wait for an arrest, but when we bring a homicide case to our DA, it’s imperative that we have sufficient evidence and proof of the crime committed and who committed it,” said Sheriff Shannan Moon in a news release. “This case has been on the cuffs of being solved for some time now, thanks to our MCU detectives who have been relentless and determined to bring closure for the Wilder family. Along with recent advances in DNA technology, new witness statements as a direct result of our video, and the DA reviewing our new evidence and filing this case, we hope justice will finally be served.”
Deputies got a warrant for Hodges' arrest and new search warrant for the property where Hodges was known to go. Hodges is waiting for his arraignment at the county jail and the case with the District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
Anyone with info can call Det. Rory Sonnier at the sheriff's office at (530) 265-1471.
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