Sanford found guilty in Swanson murder
By Kathryn Reed
Nearly 34 years after Richard Swanson was murdered, the killer has been convicted.
On April 23, the eight-woman, four-man jury found Andrew Sanford guilty on all counts.
In all likelihood Sanford, 52, will be spending the rest of his life in prison.
Swanson was 16 when he was murdered Aug. 14, 1980, while he worked at the former Shell gas station at the Y in South Lake Tahoe. He was bound with duct tape and left to die of asphyxiation. He had also been beaten.
Sanford lived in town at the time, but left a few days after the murder.
“I think it’s a long, long time in coming to try to get some measure of justice for the family,” El Dorado County District Attorney Vern Pierson told Lake Tahoe News. “For us it happened 34 years ago. For them, it’s like it happened yesterday.”
Ronald and Sharon Swanson, Richard’s parents, were in the Placerville courtroom every day listening to witness after witness describe what they remembered, the details of how their son was murdered, the autopsy and finally the arrest of Sanford.
It wasn’t until 2012 that Sanford was arrested and charged in the Swanson case.
From this killing the local Secret Witness program was formed. The seed money was always to go to the person who helped solve the Swanson murder.
This won’t heal the loved ones broken hearts, but it may bring them some closure. Good job jury!
Wow,,,, 22 years later the creep was arrested. It must have been a dedicated detective/team that kept at it. Good work!
It’s sad that he has left his own children to pick up and move on. Not only did he take the life of that poor boy and his family. But his own kids too. No winners today.
I remember the case well, and also remember the protagonist. There are investigators resting in their graves who tonight sleep more comfortably knowing that the case is finally closed. The saddest part of this entire case is that Andy got to lead what was, at his level, a normal life for a time, while his victim was only a memory.
I won’t name names, but huge kudos to the investigators who were finally able put this case together. I hope, that in the current slice-the-budget, hire candidates who have few real qualifications for the law enforcement environment, there will still be folks putting together cases that can be solved, even if it takes a new generation to take a second look with new technology and fresh points of view.
This was a joint investigation involving several law enforcement agencies working together. However, one individual, who has been retired from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department for over four years, made a very sincere promise to the Swanson Family years ago that he would never give up his resolve to see this case to its conclusion. Even after he retired, he and I had discussions over his effort and time put into this case long after he was “officially retired.” He always replied that he would keep his promise to the Swanson Family no matter what the impact was on his personal life. He gave up his personal life with his family and several years of his retirement life to work this case.
I tip my hat to this Investigator, who is also my friend. Good job to all for solving this case with a conviction and especially for helping the Swanson Family finally find some peace and closure.
Now go ride your horse Cowboy!
Woah.
This is some really heavy subject matter.
God answers prayers.
Many thanks to that cowboy for all of his efforts on this case.
From on who knows.
We all knew it was always possible…
The many years of prayers of our entire family & friends have been answered.
Thank you…
To all for your prayers and support for family… Especially for — Sharon, Ron, and Bob.
Thank you…
To ALL who played a part in the arrest & conviction of Andrew Sanford for the murder of Richard Swanson.
Thank you…
For never giving up on Richard…
We know that Richard was smiling down on his…
Mom, Dad, and Brother yesterday in court.
We say to Andrew Sanford:
“In each of us, two natures are at war – the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer. But in our own hands lies the power to choose – what we want most to be we are.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson
“Every person has free choice. Free to obey or disobey the Natural Laws. Your choice determines the consequences. Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.”
– Alfred A. Montapert
Once again Thank YOU ALL who prayed for good to prevail over evil.
“Pay It Forward”
Dale & Patty McGee
Retired copper: I believe that the retired investigator you are referring to has the initials C.O. and yes, as part of the investigation I can attest that he made a commitment to the family and believed in it. Andy left a wake of devastation that some of us have experienced all to well. My heart goes out to the family and more than once I have wanted to reach out to them to tell them how much I wish there was something that I could gave done or seen over the last 30 years to have a clue about this.
I am curious though. Does the family have a certain sentence in mind?
So happy they got his stupid a–
Wow thats crazy they found him guilty.Now another SLTcase that will be solved is the Roger lee Neill case in 1984 >Hit and Run. I finally have the funds ) $$
First, Andrew Standford was given 34 years to live with freedom, an opportunity to form a family, have children and develop a career; far more the the young life he took. So having to spend the REST of his life in prison pales in comparison.
Second, if not for his own selfish behavior and ego his guilty sentence may have never actually happened. He beat his girlfriend hoping it would keep her from leaving him, HE called the police in the hopes of pressing charges against her….such was not the case and it was he who was arrested. I thank the judicial system, the DNA evidence and if true the Secret Witness that came forward (but I’m just not sure there was one) for all being part in putting this scum away…..I’m only saddened it wasn’t far sooner. Rot in Jail Dear Andy, its exactly where you belong.
The Mother of the beaten girl