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Sheriff: Suspect in custody in 2004 murder of Zeeland man and fiancée

Posted at 1:40 PM, May 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-06 14:08:48-04

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. — The sheriff's department in Sonoma County, Calif. announced they've identified a suspect in the murder of a Zeeland man and his fiancée on a Northern California beach in 2004.

Jason Allen, 26, and Lindsay Cutshall, 23, were shot and killed while camping on a Sonoma County beach in 2004. The case had remained unsolved until now.

Police identified the suspect in the case as Shaun Gallon, 38.

“We feel confident that we have Jason and Lindsay’s killer in custody," said Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas.

Allen was originally from Zeeland. Cutshall was from Ohio. The two were counselors together at a Christian youth summer camp in Eldorado County, Calif.

During Friday afternoon's announcement, the Sheriff Freitas read a statement on behalf of Bob and Delores Allen and Chris and Kathy Cutshall:

“We are extremely pleased that our children’s murderer is in custody where he belongs. We praise the Lord for his capture and we trust in the due process of the law. We would like to thank the heartfelt concern of the people of Jenner and Sonoma County. We have appreciated your support for this case throughout our thirteen-year ordeal.

We are especially grateful to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office for their tireless pursuit of Jason’s and Lindsay’s killer. The strong support for us and for the case by the former sheriff, Sheriff Cogbill, and the current sheriff, Sheriff Freitas, has been outstanding. And the dedication of all the lieutenants, sergeants, detectives, and support personnel of Sheriff’s Office Investigations throughout the years has totally amazed us. The combination of their humanity and professionalism would not allow them to give up on this case. And when we at times wondered if this day would ever come, the detectives in particular wouldn’t allow us to lose hope. To all who have worked this case over the years, we can’t thank you enough. You are true heroes to us and we thank God for you.

Finally and most importantly, we want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for sustaining us and our families throughout this long journey. We know that we have miles to go before the case is closed with a conviction, but we also know the power and wonder of God’s grace.

Our prayers continue to be for the Sheriff’s Office as they build their case, for the families of the deputies, who have given them their undying support, for all the dear folks of Sonoma County who have prayed for us, and even for Shaun Gallon who heartlessly committed this senseless and wicked crime.
Thank you.”

The Sheriff says they plan to give their report to their District Attorney soon. Meanwhile they ask anyone with further information or trips to call the Sonoma County Sheriff Department at (707)-565-2511.