Teenage son arrested in deaths of his family in El Dorado County

Submitted by paula on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 8:41pm

El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) arrested a 16-year-old boy on Thursday on charges he murdered his family in their Greenwood, CA cabin.

On September 13, Cal Fire asked for the assistance of EDSO after they found human remains inside a burnt residence.

Analysis from the Department of Justice confirmed that the DNA from the bodies belonged to Adam Buchanan, 38, Molly McAfee,37, and their eight-year old son, all from Benicia, CA and who had been reported missing September 11. Buchanan was the owner of the cabin. Forensic evidence also confirmed the three victims suffered from gunshot wounds prior to the fire.

Benicia Police Department contacted the 16-year-old son of Adam Buchanan at the family's Benicia residence and notified him of the fire at the cabin located in Greenwood, Ca. The son told officers that his father Adam Buchanan, his father’s fiancée Molly McAfee and his 8 year old half-brother had driven to the Greenwood cabin and that he stayed behind.

A search warrant was served at the Benicia residence and the Buchanan Construction Company owned by Adam Buchanan, also located in Benicia. Recovered from the residence was a white Ford F150. Inside the Ford F150 was evidence contrary to the 16-year old's earlier statement.

On September 19th a purse containing identification of Molly McAfee and a wallet containing identification of Adam Buchanan was found along with a firearm and ammunition in a business park near the Buchanan Construction Company location. The firearm and all property was collected and sent for processing at the Department of Justice Laboratory.

On October 1, 2015 the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office arrested the 16 year old son Nolan Buchanan on charges of murder in connection with this investigation which is ongoing.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, the Benicia Police Department, the Department of Justice and the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office for their assistance in the investigation. They also thanks the citizens and business owners who have assisted us in this investigation.