The Unsolved Horror Of The Keddie Cabin Murders

In the quaint resort town of Keddie, California, a crime so brutal and confounding occurred in the spring of 1981 that it haunts the community to this day. The Keddie Cabin Murders, as they became known, involved the savage killings of Glenna “Sue” Sharp and three others, leaving a stain of mystery on the scenic landscape. This perplexing and brutal unsolved crime in American history shook the small Sierra Nevada mountain communities of Keddie and Quincy in Northern California, beginning a mystery that continues to baffle investigators and true crime enthusiasts alike, even decades later.

The summer of 1981 was supposed to be a time of carefree fun for the families who flocked to the Keddie Resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. However, for one group of friends and families, the trip turned into a nightmare, one that would leave a chilling mark on history. It has been over 40 years since what is known as the Keddie murders took place in rural Plumas County, and despite renewed efforts and new developments, the case remains an open wound, a testament to the enduring power of an unsolved mystery.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Keddie: The Isolated Setting
• The Fateful Night: April 11-12, 1981
• The Victims: A Family Shattered
• The Initial Investigation and Its Shortcomings
• Key Suspects and Lingering Questions
  • Martin Smartt: A Troubling Figure
  • John Boubede: The Other Shadow
• New Developments: A Renewed Push for Justice
  • The Discovery of Tina's Remains
  • Mike Gamberg's Dedicated Pursuit
• The Legacy of Cabin 28
• The Keddie Murders in Pop Culture

Understanding Keddie: The Isolated Setting

To truly understand the Keddie Cabin Murders, you’ve got to understand Keddie itself—a place that feels more like a pause in time than an actual town. The Sierra Nevada mountains stretch out in every direction, towering pines scraping the sky, the air so crisp it feels like a different planet from the urban sprawl of California’s major cities. Keddie was, and to some extent still is, a remote resort community, a place where people sought escape and tranquility. This isolation, while picturesque, also meant that when horror struck, help was not immediately at hand, and the tight-knit community was ill-equipped to deal with such a profound tragedy.

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The Sharp family, seeking a new start, had moved from Quincy to Keddie and rented Cabin 28 five months before the murders. Sue Sharp had envisioned a new life when she moved near her family, a fresh chapter in a serene environment. Little did she know that this idyllic setting would become the scene of an unimaginable crime that would forever etch the name "Keddie" into the annals of unsolved mysteries.

The Fateful Night: April 11-12, 1981

Between April 11 and April 12, 1981, a brutal crime unfolded in Cabin 28 at the Keddie Resort. The previous evening, Sue Sharp had been at home with her children and their friends. Her daughter, Sheila, then 14, had gone to a neighbor's cabin (Cabin 26, where Marilyn and Marty Smartt lived) to spend the night. The following morning, on April 12, Sheila returned to Cabin 28 to a scene of unimaginable horror. What she discovered would shock the nation and launch one of the most enduring unsolved cases in American history.

Inside the cabin, Glenna "Sue" Sharp, her son John Steven Sharp, and John's friend Dana Hall Wingate were found brutally murdered. They had been bound with medical tape and electrical wire, and suffered stab wounds, blunt force trauma, and strangulation. The scene was chaotic and gruesome, suggesting a frenzied attack. But one crucial person was missing: Sue's 12-year-old daughter, Tina Louise Sharp. Her disappearance added another layer of terror and urgency to the unfolding tragedy, hinting at a kidnapping that would only deepen the mystery surrounding the Keddie Cabin Murders.

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The Victims: A Family Shattered

The Keddie Cabin Murders claimed the lives of four individuals, leaving surviving family members to grapple with unimaginable grief and unanswered questions. The victims were:

• Glenna "Sue" Sharp: Born March 29, 1945. The mother of five children, Sue was seeking a new life in Keddie. Her kindness, as some have suggested, ‘may have ultimately been her downfall,’ making her vulnerable to those who committed these heinous acts.
• John Steven Sharp: Born November 16, 1965. Sue's 15-year-old son, John, was a typical teenager, enjoying life with friends.
• Dana Hall Wingate: Born February 8, 1964. John's 17-year-old friend, Dana, was visiting the Sharp family that night.
• Tina Louise Sharp: Born July 22, 1968. Sue's 12-year-old daughter, Tina, was initially kidnapped from the cabin. Her fate remained unknown for three agonizing years, adding a chilling dimension to the case.

Three other children, Sheila, Ricky (10), and Greg (5), were also present in the cabin but were unharmed, having been in a separate room. Their survival, and the chilling proximity to the violence, left them with lifelong trauma and a unique, terrifying perspective on the Keddie Cabin Murders.

The Initial Investigation and Its Shortcomings

The immediate aftermath of the Keddie Cabin Murders saw a flurry of investigative activity, but many critics argue that crucial mistakes were made from the outset. The crime scene, Cabin 28, was reportedly compromised, and potential evidence may have been overlooked or mishandled. The remote location and the relative inexperience of some local law enforcement at the time may have contributed to these issues. The initial investigation struggled to establish a clear motive or identify definitive suspects, leading to widespread frustration and a sense of injustice within the community.

Despite the brutality of the crime and the clear need for answers, the case gradually went cold. The initial leads dried up, and the focus shifted away from Keddie. The unsolved mystery that haunts the region grew deeper with each passing year, leaving the families of the victims in a painful limbo. The lack of arrests or charges in the immediate aftermath only fueled the perception that justice was not being served, and the truth about the Keddie Cabin Murders remained elusive.

Key Suspects and Lingering Questions

Over the decades, several individuals have been considered persons of interest or suspects in the Keddie Cabin Murders, with two names consistently emerging: Martin Smartt and John Boubede. While neither was ever charged, the evidence and circumstances surrounding them continue to fuel speculation and underscore the complexity of the case.

Martin Smartt: A Troubling Figure

Martin Smartt was the estranged husband of Marilyn Smartt, who lived in Cabin 26, adjacent to the Sharp family's Cabin 28. He was known to have had a volatile relationship with Sue Sharp, and some accounts suggest he harbored resentment towards her. A significant piece of information emerged years later: as reported by Timber Creek Talon, Marty purportedly confessed to the murders during a therapy session. Although the therapist alerted authorities, nothing was reportedly done at the time to pursue this confession vigorously.

Furthermore, a chilling letter allegedly written by Martin Smartt to his wife Marilyn was discovered years after the murders. In the letter, Smartt reportedly stated, "I've paid the price for your love, and now I've bought five lives." While this statement is highly incriminating, its context and admissibility in court were complex. Smartt moved to Reno, Nevada, shortly after the conclusion of his police interview and was also never arrested or charged in the Keddie Cabin Murders. His death in 2000 meant that any direct answers from him became impossible, leaving his alleged involvement a persistent, unresolved question.

John Boubede: The Other Shadow

John Boubede was a friend of Martin Smartt and was staying with him in Cabin 26 around the time of the murders. Boubede had a criminal background and connections to organized crime in Chicago. His presence in Keddie at such a crucial time raised immediate suspicions. Accounts suggest he was with Smartt on the night of the murders, and some theories posit that he played an active role in the killings, perhaps even instigating them or carrying them out with Smartt.

John Boubede left Keddie after the murders and returned to Chicago, where he died in 1988. Like Smartt, his death before any charges could be brought against him meant that a crucial potential source of information was lost. The connection between Smartt and Boubede, and their alleged involvement, forms the core of many theories about who committed the Keddie Cabin Murders, highlighting the dark synergy that may have led to such a horrific outcome.

New Developments: A Renewed Push for Justice

Despite the passage of decades, the Keddie Cabin Murders have seen new developments in recent years, rekindling hope for answers. The case, once considered cold, has been reopened and re-examined with fresh eyes and modern forensic techniques. This renewed focus has brought forward potential evidence and reignited public interest, as detailed in articles like "’81 Keddie Murder Case Rekindled in Plumas," by Jane Braxton Little, and "Potential evidence continues to surface," by Ed Pearce.

The Discovery of Tina's Remains

One of the most significant breakthroughs in the case came three years after the Keddie murders. A part of a skull was found 29 miles away near Camp Eighteen in neighboring Butte County. This discovery led to a thorough examination of the area, which uncovered a jawbone and several other skeletal remains. Forensic analysis confirmed that these were the remains of Tina Louise Sharp, the missing 12-year-old girl. This discovery, while tragic, provided a crucial piece of the puzzle, confirming Tina's fate and offering a new avenue for investigation. It underscored the brutal nature of the crime and the lengths to which the perpetrators went to conceal their actions.

Mike Gamberg's Dedicated Pursuit

In 2013, the Plumas County Sheriff, Greg Hagwood, hired Mike Gamberg as a special investigator for the Keddie Cabin Murders case. This was a pivotal moment, as Gamberg was a young deputy when the Keddie Cabin Murders occurred, giving him a unique historical perspective and a deep-seated commitment to solving the case. Gamberg’s involvement signaled a serious, renewed effort by law enforcement to bring closure to the families and the community. He has tirelessly pursued new leads, re-interviewed witnesses, and re-examined old evidence with the benefit of modern forensic science.

Gamberg’s efforts have brought renewed attention to the case, and his dedication has been instrumental in uncovering new details and strengthening the case against potential suspects. His work has been highlighted in various media, including "5 things to know about the Keddie Cabin Murders — and the new hunt for the killers," by Jeff Truesdell, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to resolving this long-standing mystery. Despite credible evidence connecting Martin Smartt to the crimes, the Keddie murders remain unsolved, but the relentless pursuit of justice by investigators like Gamberg offers a glimmer of hope.

The Legacy of Cabin 28

Cabin 28 at the Keddie Resort, where the 1981 murders occurred, became a chilling symbol of the tragedy. In the years following the Keddie murders, Cabin 28 and others in the small Keddie community were allowed to deteriorate. The cabins within the Keddie Resort, including Cabin 28, slowly fell into disrepair and were eventually condemned. The Sharp’s home in Cabin 28 was demolished in 2004, a final act that removed the physical reminder of the horror, though the psychological scars remained. Interestingly, Cabin 26, where Marilyn and Marty Smartt lived, still stands, a silent witness to the events of that fateful night.

The demolition of Cabin 28 in 2004 marked the end of a physical landmark, but it did nothing to erase the memory of the Keddie Cabin Murders. The resort itself, once a vibrant getaway, now carries a somber aura. The landscape, though beautiful, is forever associated with the brutal crime, serving as a constant reminder of the unsolved mystery that haunts the region. The community, while moving forward, lives with the lingering question of who committed these horrific acts and why, ensuring that the legacy of Cabin 28 endures far beyond its physical existence.

The Keddie Murders in Pop Culture

The chilling nature and unsolved status of the Keddie Cabin Murders have inevitably drawn the attention of popular culture, transforming the real-life tragedy into a subject of fascination for true crime enthusiasts and filmmakers alike. The case has been featured in numerous documentaries, podcasts, and even fictionalized accounts, attempting to shed light on the darkness or simply capitalize on the inherent horror.

In November 2016, an episode on Investigation Discovery called “Cabin 28: Horror in the Woods” aired, telling the story of the Keddie Cabin Murders to a wide audience. This brought renewed national attention to the case, prompting discussions and theories among viewers. Beyond documentaries, the case also inspired a horror movie called "Cabin 28," released based on the Keddie Cabin Murders, marketed as "based on one of the most infamous unsolved murder cases in..." history. While these adaptations often take liberties with the facts for dramatic effect, they serve to keep the memory of the Keddie Cabin Murders alive in the public consciousness, ensuring that the victims are not forgotten and the quest for answers continues.

Online, the case has a significant following, with dedicated forums and YouTube channels dissecting every detail. For instance, documentaries like "Keddie Cabin Murders Part I and II" (both parts one and two were posted on YouTube by keddie28, which does not support the positions taken in the documentary, and in fact appears to have posted the videos as examples of what they do not want the viewer to believe) demonstrate the intense public interest and the varied interpretations of the evidence. This continued engagement, while sometimes sensationalized, plays a crucial role in maintaining pressure on authorities and keeping the hope for resolution alive.

Conclusion

The Keddie Cabin Murders stand as one of the most perplexing and brutal unsolved crimes in American history. The savage killings of Sue Sharp, John Sharp, Dana Wingate, and the later discovery of Tina Sharp’s remains, left an indelible mark on the small community of Keddie and on the broader landscape of true crime. Despite decades passing and renewed investigative efforts, including the dedicated work of Mike Gamberg, the full truth remains elusive. The case serves as a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk even in the most serene of settings, and the profound impact of justice denied.

The lingering questions surrounding who committed these horrific acts and why continue to resonate. The story of the Keddie Cabin Murders is a testament to the resilience of those who seek answers and the enduring power of an unsolved mystery. If you have any information, no matter how small, that you believe could shed light on this case, please consider reaching out to the Plumas County Sheriff's Office. Every piece of information could be vital. What are your thoughts on the Keddie Cabin Murders? Share your theories or reflections in the comments below, and let's keep the conversation going in the hope that one day, true justice will be served for Sue, John, Dana, and Tina. You can also explore other true crime articles on our site for more compelling stories of unsolved mysteries.