James Lawhead Jr. has pleaded guilty to the 1991 kidnapping and murder of Cindy Wanner, bringing closure to one of Placer County's most notorious cold cases.
The plea was entered on June 16, 2026, in Placer County Superior Court. Lawhead admitted to the murder and kidnapping, as well as special circumstance allegations that the murder occurred during the commission of a kidnapping and a rape.
As part of the resolution, Lawhead also admitted an independent count of kidnapping, waived his appellate rights, and accepted a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case dates back to November 25, 1991, when Cindy Wanner was abducted from a Granite Bay residence while caring for her 11-month-old child.
The baby was left behind in a highchair as the victim was forcibly taken from the home. Three weeks later, her body was discovered in a remote area near Foresthill.
Despite extensive investigative efforts, the case remained unsolved for more than three decades. The conviction is the result of dedicated work by the Placer County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit, in partnership with a dedicated investigator from the Placer County District Attorney's Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 14, 2026, in Department 20 at 8:30 a.m.