Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:
Today, Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced 28-year-old Austin M. Medeiros of Rhode Island to serve 25 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of 28-year-old Emily Lobba. Medeiros was ordered to serve an additional 6 years, four months for felony evading, theft of a vehicle, and assaultive crimes committed against other victims, including a Humboldt County Corrections Officer.
On April 3, 2022, Medeiros strangled Ms. Lobba to death while inside her Kneeland home. He proceeded to steal most of her possessions. Ms. Lobba’s caretaker encountered Medeiros at the crime scene and notified law enforcement as Medeiros fled in Ms. Lobba’s van. Despite a high-speed pursuit that followed, Medeiros reached the Arcata Community Forest where he escaped on foot. Medeiros was arrested seven days later after he stole a Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol’s boat and was caught attempting to sail away.
Medeiros was convicted of his crimes by a jury on April 27 of this year. Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers prosecuted the case with the assistance of District Attorney Investigator Martin Morris, as well as Victim/Witness Advocates Caitlyn Lahaie and Morgan Polasek. Local defense attorney Owen Tipps represented Medeiros. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Investigators Brandon Head and Scott Hicks led the investigation that ultimately brought Medeiros to justice.
District Attorney Stacey Eads said: “I commend Ms. Lobba’s caretaker for quickly alerting law enforcement of Medeiros’s crimes. Thank you to the jury for their dedication and service. May this outcome help provide Ms. Lobba’s loved ones with some sense of justice, and a path towards healing.”
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PREVIOUSLY:
- Suspect, Victim Named in Kneeland Homicide; Public Urged to Be on the Lookout, Motorists Warned Suspect May be Attempting to Hitchhike South
- Kneeland Homicide Suspect Arrested in Santa Cruz Yesterday; Suspect Had Loaded Stolen Firearm and Mushrooms in His Possession, Sheriff’s Office Says
- Kneeland Homicide Suspect Transferred Back to Humboldt, Will Be Arraigned Next Week
- TODAY in COURT: Kneeland Murder Suspect Says He Wants to Hire His Own Lawyer
- TODAY IN COURT: Kneeland Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
- Correctional Deputy Injured in Jail Assault by Kneeland Murder Suspect, Sheriff’s Office Says
- Criminal Proceedings Against Suspected Kneeland Killer Suspended; Judge Orders Psychiatric Evaluation
- TODAY in COURT: Man Who Bit Off Cop’s Thumb Gets Four Years and Change; Kneeland Murder Suspect Says He’s Not Insane, but a Doctor Disagrees; Sotolongo Jury Still Deliberating
- Case Against Greenwood Heights Murder Suspect Suspended Again While Court Seeks a Psychiatric Second Opinion
- TODAY in COURT: Mistake Delays Fortuna Teacher’s Preliminary Hearing on Child Molestation Charges; Mental Health Questions Hang Over Fortuna Terrorism Case, Kneeland Homicide
- Judge Rules That Suspect in Greenwood Heights Murder, Finally Deemed Mentally Competent, Must Stand Trial