The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest after releasing new information regarding the double homicide near Sedona.
James Johnson, 63, from Jaffrey, N.H., and Carol Raynsford, 63, from Nelson, N.H., were found shot to death in a late-model red Subaru wagon around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, at the scenic overlook at mile post 364 between Forest Road 89B and Page Springs Road southeast of State Route 89A between Cottonwood and
Sedona.
YCSO determined the rounds fired to be .223 caliber and received reports of a grey or white pickup truck seen in the area prior to the homicides being reported.
YCSO is on the lookout for a 1998 to 2002 white Dodge of Chevy 1/2-ton pickup truck with an older white camper shell and faded white paint. The vehicle has red ribbons hanging from the rearview mirror. Use all caution if the truck is located. The suspect or suspects are considered armed and dangerous. This does not preclude other vehicles that may be associated with the homicides, according to YCSO Public Information Officer Dwight D’Evelyn.
YCSO would also like to locate people associated with two other vehicles seen parked in proximatey to the Subaru during the evening Thursday, Jan. 5.
YCSO found shell casings and other evidence indicating one or more suspects fired from outside the car striking both victims. A motive has not yet been developed, according to D’Evelyn.
The bodies were removed from the location Friday night and taken to the medical examiner to be identified.
Officers drew their weapons and headed into the forest surrounding the area after the victims were found around 11:30 a.m., according to Sedona Red Rock News reporters on scene. Passengers, who may have found and reported the bodies, from three Jeeps parked at the location were interviewed.
YCSO detectives are requesting contact from anyone who was in this area recently to immediately call YCSO at (928) 771-3260. Even if you think the information may not be significant, YCSO encourages you to call and share what you know to help determine a timeline of events leading up to the murders. You can also report information anonymously to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1 (800) 932-3232.
