Roger Neil Schmidt pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2025, to the 1984 murder of 18-year-old Terry Arndt in Burney, California, and to sexually assaulting Arndt's 18-year-old companion. Advances in DNA testing and forensic genealogy led investigators to collect Schmidt's DNA in Tucson in July 2025; testing produced a match and Schmidt subsequently confessed. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Dec. 16, 2025, with Arndt's parents present at the plea.
Cold Case Closed: Man Pleads Guilty to 1984 Killing of California Teen; Companion Sexually Assaulted
Shasta County Sheriff's OfficeRoger Neil Schmidt
A northern California cold case that left a family searching for answers for more than four decades came to an end in December 2025 when a man admitted his role in a 1984 killing and related sexual assaults.
Roger Neil Schmidt pleaded guilty on Dec. 1, 2025, to first-degree murder with special allegations, the Shasta County District Attorney's Office said. He was sentenced on Dec. 16, 2025, to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Crime and Immediate Aftermath
On Dec. 14, 1984, 18-year-old Terry Arndt and an 18-year-old female companion were sitting in a parked car in Burney, California, when Schmidt drove up beside them and opened fire. According to prosecutors, Arndt covered the female companion with his body to shield her from the gunfire. Afterward, Schmidt pulled the woman from the vehicle and sexually assaulted her multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The female survivor, whose name has not been released, drove away to seek help. Arndt was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. The attack shocked the local community and the case eventually became a cold case.
How the Case Was Solved
Decades later, advances in DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy provided new leads. Authorities traveled to Tucson, Arizona, in July 2025 to obtain DNA samples from Schmidt. Subsequent testing matched evidence from the original investigation, and prosecutors say Schmidt was then interviewed by law enforcement.
“When the shooting started, Terry covered the female victim with his own body to protect her from being shot,” the Shasta County District Attorney's Office said.
Following the interview, Schmidt confessed to both the murder and the sexual assault, prosecutors said. He was arrested, charged, and ultimately entered a guilty plea on Dec. 1, 2025. Arndt's parents were present in court for the plea and sentencing.
Sentence and Victim Support
A judge imposed a sentence of life without the possibility of parole on Dec. 16, 2025. Out of respect for privacy, officials have not released the name of the surviving victim.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org for resources and support.
This case highlights how modern forensic tools can resolve long-unsolved violent crimes and bring accountability decades after the events occurred.
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