Marin County Sheriff's Office

09/03/2026

Detectives from our Marin County Sheriff's Office Investigative Team, with help from our partners at Alameda Co. Sheriff's Office , arrested Sergio Ayala this week. Ayala is suspected of identity theft and financial elder abuse. Ayala is accused of stealing the Social Security number of an elderly man with Alzheimer’s disease and using it for employment purposes. Flock cameras not only aided the investigation but also helped ensure the arrest was made in a safe area.

08/31/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marin County Sheriff’s Office – Coroner Division Releases Identity in Fatal Tomales Bay Canoeing Incident

SAN RAFAEL, CA — The Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division has positively identified the individual recovered from Tomales Bay as Casey Flynn Melia, a 36-year-old resident of San Francisco, California.

Just prior to midnight on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Mr. Melia and a companion departed a campsite on Tomales Bay in a canoe. When the pair did not return the following morning, members of their camping party alerted emergency services via 9-1-1. First responders immediately initiated a search-and-rescue operation.

During the search, first responders located the first individual unresponsive in the water. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) rescued the individual and transported them to Bodega Bay in Sonoma County, where emergency personnel declared them deceased. The Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner Bureau is leading the investigation into this individual's death.

A short time later, search teams located Mr. Melia unresponsive near Hog Island. He was recovered by the National Park Service (NPS) and brought to Sacramento Landing, where first responders pronounced him deceased.

A forensic post-mortem examination and routine toxicology testing are scheduled for later this week. The official cause and manner of death remain pending, awaiting the final findings of a joint investigation conducted by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the USCG, and the NPS.

Because this remains an active investigation, no further details are available from the Coroner Division at this time. Media or public inquiries regarding the incident should be directed to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Coast Guard, or the National Park Service.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and the staff of the Coroner Division extend their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Melia during this painful time.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Roger G. Fielding, Chief Deputy Coroner

Marin County Sheriff’s Office – Coroner Division

Phone: (415) 473-6043

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Deputy Sheriff Isabella Bollman, who graduated from Basic Police Academy today! Sheriff Scardina, along with members of our Command staff, were on hand to welcome Deputy Bollman to the Marin County Sheriff's Office office. Deputy Bollman was born and raised in Sonoma. During high school, she was an active athlete, playing both basketball and volleyball. She later continued serving her community by coaching girls in youth sports. We are thrilled to welcome Deputy Bollman to our team! A proud graduate of Basic Police Academy Class 220, represented by 12 law enforcement agencies, Deputy Bollman is ready to being serving Marin County. Please join us in welcoming Deputy Bollman to the MCSO!

08/26/2026

: Today, the and Undersheriff met with our Patrol Sergeants for a detailed briefing. We plan today for tomorrow, so we can keep you safe every day!

08/25/2026

Novato Automobile-Pedestrian Traffic Collision Fatality- Identity Released

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Mary Colleen MURPHY, a 59-year-old female from Novato.

On Monday, August 24, 2026, at approximately 8:52 PM, a pedestrian walking her dog was struck by an eastbound vehicle while using a marked crosswalk on Novato Boulevard near St. Paul Circle. Emergency services responded promptly following a 9-1-1 call. First responders located the victim unconscious and unresponsive with critical injuries. Paramedics initiated resuscitative measures and transported her to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries in the Emergency Department.

A forensic postmortem examination with routine toxicology testing is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The cause and manner of death will remain pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the Novato Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division. No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation. Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Novato Police Department.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Murphy.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding
Chief Deputy Coroner
415-473-6043

08/20/2026

The Marin County Sheiff's Office has received multiple calls from the public who are recieving scam calls demanding payment for missed court appearances, warrants or threats of arrest.

The Sheriff's Office will never call and demand payment, regardless of any criminal or civil matters. If you recieve these types of calls, please contact our Sheriffs Office Non-Emergency line at 415-479-2311 to report any loss or sharing of confidential information that may have been given.

08/18/2026

08/14/2026

🚨 DO NOT RUN FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE — WE WILL CATCH YOU! 🚨

On August 13 at approximately 2:00 AM, a Marin County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a Cadillac speeding southbound on Highway 101 near the Spencer Avenue exit.

When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver made a U-turn and began traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 101. Due to the danger posed by the wrong-way driver, the deputy did not pursue. The Cadillac was later found abandoned near the Rodeo Trailhead.

At approximately 6:15 AM, deputies responded to a report of a pedestrian walking onto northbound Highway 101. When deputies attempted to contact him, he ran into a nearby neighborhood. A shelter-in-place notification was issued while deputies and assisting agencies searched the area.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old John Russell Edwards of Ukiah, was ultimately found hiding in a construction site at a residences on Santa Rosa Avenue and taken into custody.

Edwards was booked into the Marin County Jail on 10 outstanding warrants from multiple jurisdictions, as well as new charges related to the incident, including evading, reckless driving, obstructing officers and disorderly conduct.

Thankfully, no collisions or injuries were reported.

Thank you to the community members who called in suspicious activity and to our allied law enforcement partners who assisted with the search. 🚔🤝

08/06/2026

On Thursday August 6, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office welcomed a few new family members!

Deputy Sheriff Trainee S. Duvall is a Marin County native and comes to us after serving in the United States Marine Corps. Having grown up in Marin County, Duvall is excited to now be pursuing his lifelong dream and looks forward to giving back to the community he has always called home.

Coroner Investigator J. Cantwell grew up in Sonoma County and began interning with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division in 2021. Cantwell was also selected as a Coroner Forensic Technician in 2022. She is excited to continue building her career as the newest Coroner Investigator.

Communications Dispatcher C. Sullivan grew up in bay area and is excited to begin this new chapter with the Sheriff’s Office and looks forward to serving the community as part of the Sheriff’s Office family.

Communications Dispatcher J. Lopez was born in San Diego and excited to pursue her longtime interest in becoming a public safety dispatcher. Jessica is excited to begin this new chapter with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.

Media Specialist M. Almaguer grew up in Berkeley and has dedicated his career to journalism, serving as a national correspondent with NBC News, where he covered some of the nation’s biggest news stories. In 2007, Miguel was awarded an Emmy for his reporting on the San Diego wildfires and received several additional Emmy nominations throughout his distinguished career. He now looks forward to bringing his expertise in communication and storytelling to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, serving as a bridge between the department and the community while fostering transparency, trust, and meaningful engagement.

Please help us welcome our newest MCSO staff members!