The Keddie Cabin Murders: The Unsolved Horror of Cabin 28
In the quiet, snow-dusted mountains of California’s Sierra Nevada, a sleepy resort community became the stage for one of the most haunting unsolved crimes in American history. On April 11, 1981, the peaceful night at Keddie Resort shattered into unimaginable violence. A mother and three teenagers were savagely murdered in Cabin 28, their bodies left in a tableau of brutality that stunned investigators and residents alike. What began as a typical Friday evening ended in a blood-soaked nightmare, with one young girl vanishing into the darkness.
The Keddie Cabin Murders, as they came to be known, involved Glenna Susan “Sue” Sharp, her son John, his friend Dana Wingate, and ultimately her daughter Tina. The case’s brutality—marked by bindings, stab wounds, and bludgeoning—combined with its unresolved status, has fueled decades of speculation, amateur sleuthing, and documentaries. Despite confessions, suspects, and forensic leads, no one has been brought to justice for these killings, leaving a shadow over the remote Plumas County town.
This article delves into the facts of that fateful night, the investigation’s twists, and the lingering questions that keep the case alive. Respecting the victims’ memory, we examine the evidence analytically, highlighting the human cost of this enduring mystery.
The Isolated Setting of Keddie Resort
Keddie Resort, nestled in the Feather River Canyon near Quincy, California, was a modest vacation spot that had seen better days. By 1981, the once-thriving area had declined into a haven for low-income families and seasonal workers. Cabin 28, a three-bedroom unit, was home to the Sharp family: Sue Sharp, a 36-year-old mother of five recently separated from her husband, and her children—Sheila (15), John (15), Tina (12), Rick (10), and Greg (5). The family had moved there from Connecticut just two years prior, seeking a fresh start amid financial struggles.
Life in Keddie was rustic and communal. Neighbors like Martin “Marty” Smartt and his wife Marilyn “Bo” lived next door in Cabin 27, with Bo’s son Justin (14) often spending time with the Sharps. The resort’s isolation—surrounded by dense woods and accessible only by a winding road—added to its insular feel. On April 10, 1981, John Sharp and Dana Wingate, a 17-year-old drifter and friend from the nearby Indian Ranch, planned to attend a party but never arrived. That omission would prove fateful.
The Victims: Lives Cut Short
Sue Sharp was a resilient woman, working odd jobs to support her family after her marriage dissolved. Described by friends as outgoing and protective, she embodied the struggles of single motherhood in a remote locale. Her son John, a popular 15-year-old athlete, dreamed of a better life, often babysitting his siblings to help out.
Dana Wingate, though not family, was a fixture in their home that night. A troubled teen from a broken background, he shared John’s friendship and stayed over frequently. Tina Sharp, the quiet 12-year-old, was last seen alive wearing a distinctive flannel nightgown. Their deaths robbed not just their immediate circle but an entire community of innocence.
Survivors included Sheila, who discovered the horror upon returning home; Rick and Greg, asleep in a back room and unharmed; and Justin Smartt, who had been at Cabin 28 earlier. The contrast between the sleeping children and the carnage in the living room underscored the killers’ selective brutality.
Discovery of the Crime Scene
April 12, 1981, began ordinarily for 15-year-old Sheila Sharp. After spending the night at a friend’s cabin, she returned home around 8 a.m. to a scene from a horror film. In the living room, her mother Sue lay face-down, bound with electrical cord and medical tape, her throat slashed and multiple stab wounds to her chest. Nearby, John Sharp was on the floor, similarly bound with a cord noose around his neck, beaten and stabbed.
Dana Wingate sprawled on the sofa, his head bashed in and throat cut. Blood soaked the carpet, walls splattered with it. Tina was nowhere to be found—her bed empty, window screen removed. Sheila’s screams alerted neighbors, including Marty Smartt, who helped comfort her before police arrived. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Office responded, but the remote location delayed full processing.
The Brutality of the Attacks
The murders were frenzied and personal. Autopsies revealed Sue suffered 11 stab wounds from a hunting knife, plus defensive injuries. John’s neck bore deep cuts, his face battered by a blunt object like a hammer. Dana endured the worst: skull fractures from repeated blows, possibly with a baseball bat or hammer, and a slit throat. All three were alive during much of the assault, as evidenced by blood patterns and positions.
Investigators noted odd details: a hammer hidden behind the sofa (later linked to Marty Smartt), bloody shoe prints, and Tina’s absence suggesting she fled or was abducted. No signs of forced entry, implying the killer or killers were known to the victims. The attack likely occurred between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., after John and Dana’s party plans fell through.
The Investigation: Twists and Dead Ends
Initial Response and Challenges
The crime scene was compromised from the start. Deputies allowed family and neighbors to enter before securing it, potentially contaminating evidence. No fingerprints yielded matches, and blood typing was limited by 1980s technology. The FBI assisted briefly but withdrew, citing overload from other cases.
Sheriff Doug Thomas faced criticism for under-resourcing. The remote area lacked a full forensic team, and witness statements conflicted. Sheila recalled hearing voices but no clear details; Rick and Greg reported nothing, possibly drugged.
Key Evidence and Forensic Clues
Critical finds included:
- A bloody hammer from Cabin 27, with Marty’s fingerprints.
- Medical tape matching Bo Smartt’s Daisy tape brand.
- John’s bloody jacket pawned in Reno by an unknown party.
- Dana’s blood on a carpet from Cabin 27.
- Shoe prints matching a DC Mart store brand worn by Marty.
These pointed to neighbors, but chain-of-custody issues plagued prosecution.
Suspects and the Justin Confession
Marty Smartt, a volatile ex-Army medic with a criminal past, topped the list. He disliked John for dating Bo’s daughter and had threatened Sue. Bo, his wife, was abusive and jealous. John “Bo” Boubede, Marty’s roommate and Chicago mob associate, was another suspect.
In 1984, Justin Smartt confessed to his therapist: three men—Marty, Boubede, and an unnamed accomplice—killed the victims. He claimed witnessing Sue bound and pleading, John and Dana beaten while begging. Justin recanted, alleging coercion, but details matched unreleased crime scene info. Hypnosis sessions corroborated parts, but courts deemed him unreliable.
Theories: Drug Debt, Personal Vendetta, or Cover-Up?
Primary theory: Marty, enraged by John’s relationship with his stepdaughter or a $25 debt, snapped with Boubede. They abducted Tina to silence her. An anonymous letter to authorities in 1981 warned of a cover-up, mentioning three perpetrators.
Alternative ideas include a drug cartel hit (Dana’s ties) or drifters passing through. Some speculate serial killer links, like the “Trailside Killer,” but timelines don’t align. OxyContin addicts later claimed involvement, but DNA ruled them out.
The 2016 book Stabbed in the Heart by author Dmac compiled evidence, reigniting interest. DNA from the tape (male profiles) remains untested publicly, fueling conspiracy claims of sheriff incompetence.
Tina Sharp’s Fate: The Final Cruelty
Tina’s disappearance haunted the case. In 1984, her skull surfaced 100 miles away near Oroville, with animal chew marks but no other remains. Dental records confirmed it. Why transport only her head? Theories suggest intimidation or disposal error. Her case remains open, classified as homicide.
Legacy of Cabin 28
Demolished in 2022 amid vandalism and ghost hunter traffic, Cabin 28’s site endures as a grim landmark. The Sharp survivors relocated, with Sheila advocating for resolution. Annual memorials honor the victims, emphasizing their stolen futures.
Modern forensics—DNA, genetic genealogy—offer hope. Plumas County cold case unit reviews files, but budget constraints slow progress. The case exemplifies investigative pitfalls: scene mishandling, witness youth, suspect intimidation.
Conclusion
The Keddie Cabin Murders stand as a stark reminder of evil’s capacity in isolated havens. Sue, John, Dana, and Tina’s lives ended in terror, their memories preserved through persistent pursuit of truth. While suspects like Marty Smartt (deceased 2000) and Boubede (died 1988) escaped justice, evolving technology may yet deliver closure. Until then, their story urges vigilance for the unsolved, honoring victims with unwavering resolve.
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