Cold case arrest, casino hotel groundbreaking and more. Your 4/27 evening roundup
From a decades-old murder case cracked by DNA and facial recognition to a tribal nation breaking ground on a major Elk Grove resort, here are the top stories in the Sacramento region on Monday, Apil 27. These stories span crime, business, local government and more.
• Cold case arrest: Placer County sheriff’s detectives arrested James Lawhead Jr., 64, on suspicion of homicide in the 1991 kidnapping, sexual assault and killing of Cinthia “Cindi” Wanner, a 35-year-old mother. Analysts at a Contra Costa County forensics lab identified Lawhead using DNA evidence earlier this year, and a Scottsdale, Arizona, crime analyst used facial recognition technology to locate him. Lawhead, a convicted sex offender released from prison 10 months before Wanner’s death, was arrested at a Bullhead, Arizona, home where investigators believe he had been living under a false name.
• Casino hotel groundbreaking: Wilton Rancheria broke ground on a 300-room hotel at Sky River Casino in Elk Grove, with features including a salon and spa, a 30,000-square-foot event space and a pool. The hotel is expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028 and bring an estimated 300 to 400 jobs. Chairman Jesus Tarango said, “We are a people reclaiming what is ours.”
• Capital One settlement: A federal judge issued final approval of a renegotiated Capital One settlement meaning account holders across California could be eligible for payouts after the international banking company reached a $425 million settlement. Anyone who held a Capital One 360 Savings account between Sept. 18, 2019, and June 16, 2025, is eligible, and payments will be issued automatically.
• Homeless agency debate: The Sacramento City Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on creating a joint powers authority to address homelessness, but Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez blasted the plan. Rodriguez questioned whether the city can be trusted given its $66.2 million budget shortfall and said adding more layers of government risks “abuse of funds.”
• Zoo babies: The Sacramento Zoo welcomed six capybara pups born April 18 to a mother named Peppermint Patty — her second litter, following five pups born in October. The pups are in good health and can already be seen exploring their habitat at the Land Park attraction.