Remains of man missing since 2006 found in rural area of county

The remains of a homicide victim, killed more than nine years ago and unearthed last week in rural El Dorado County, have been identified.

The El Dorado County Cold Case Homicide Task Force announced Thursday that it located and identified the human remains of Tobias Kaiser who was last seen at his home in Somerset, CA on November 30, 2006.

Placerville resident Eric Mehlmauer and Sacramento resident Ronald Garcia were arrested in January 2015 for the murder of then 47-year old Tobias Kaiser even though a body hadn't been found at that time. On January 20, 2015, Mehlmauer was arraigned on first degree murder charges and Ronald Garcia was arraigned for violation of Penal Code section 32 “Accessory After the Fact.” Both defendants are awaiting trial in the Superior Court of El Dorado County, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 14, 2015.

The Task Force consists of the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and the California Department of Justice. The Task Force was assisted in this case by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office and the Sacramento County Crime Lab.

“The Cold Case Homicide Task Force is committed to bringing justice to victims, no matter how long ago the crime occurred," El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson said. "The Task Force will continue to follow up on new leads, investigate evidence utilizing all available resources, and never forget the victims and their families regardless how long it takes. It has been over nine years but, Mr. Kaiser can now have a proper burial and his friends and family can start the process of trying to find closure.”

District Attorney Pierson added “cold case homicides are unique in nature and require patient veteran investigators, tedious forensic evidence evaluation, experienced prosecutors, and help from the public.” The District Attorney’s Office encourages everyone to visit our website at http://www.edcgov.us/ELDODA/ or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElDoradoDA for up to date information and to see if you think you may have any information which could help solve a Cold Case Homicide.