Michael Todd Merryman : “Shasta County Murderer Confesses to Triple Homicide | News”

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. – A shocking incident has rocked Shasta County, California, as a man has been arrested on three counts of murder following a harrowing investigation by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.

It all began on April 30 when deputies responded to a welfare check at the residence of 75-year-old Pamela Castleberry on Riverview Drive in Lakeview. Upon arrival, deputies discovered signs of a burglary and alarming evidence that suggested Castleberry was missing under suspicious circumstances.

Further investigation revealed that Castleberry’s car was also missing from the scene, prompting detectives from the major crimes unit to take over the case due to its suspicious nature.

The plot thickened on May 1 when detectives stumbled upon a deserted vehicle in a remote area near Bella Vista, east of Redding. Tragically, the car belonged to Castleberry, and her lifeless body was found inside, confirming that her death was a result of foul play.

But the horrors didn’t end there. On May 6, detectives made another grisly discovery in the same area where Castleberry was found. The bodies of two individuals, identified as Cynthia Duran, 41, and Louis Sanchez, 48, both from Redding, were found badly burned. Autopsies later confirmed that Duran and Sanchez had also met tragic ends at the hands of a killer.

Michael Todd Merryman, 33, emerged as a person of interest during the investigation, with detectives uncovering compelling evidence linking him to all three homicides. Merryman, who was already on parole for residential burglary, was subsequently involved in a car crash in the Oak Run area of Shasta County on May 13.

Following the crash, Merryman was admitted to a local hospital for treatment, where detectives eventually arrested him. After making admissions to all three murders, Merryman was booked into the Shasta County Jail on three counts of murder with special circumstances, in addition to his parole violation.

Currently held without bail, Merryman is set to face arraignment in the Shasta Superior Court on Friday. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the County Major Crimes Unit at 530-245-6135 or via email at MCU@shastacounty.gov.