Swiss authorities arrest Santa Cruz County fugitive accused of killing his father

SCOTTS VALLEY — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that 54-year-old James Smallwood was arrested in Switzerland May 29 in connection with the death of his father, 90-year-old Robert Smallwood of Scotts Valley.

On May 18, relatives of Robert Smallwood reported him missing after several days without contact. The next day, sheriff’s detectives, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, conducted a search of Robert Smallwood’s home and surrounding property on Jarvis Road. The search led to the discovery of a deceased individual, later identified as Robert Smallwood. An autopsy determined the death was a homicide.

Sheriff’s detectives and the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office conducted a joint investigation and quickly identified the decedent’s son as the person responsible for the death. James Smallwood had been living with the decedent and fled to Switzerland ahead of the discovery of his father’s body. Investigators coordinated with the Swiss government, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security to locate and apprehend him.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the SCSO Search and Rescue Team, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, the Forensics Unit, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security and Swiss authorities for their critical assistance throughout the investigation.

James Smallwood is currently being held in Switzerland as extradition proceedings are underway. Upon his return to Santa Cruz County, he will be booked into the Main Jail on multiple felony charges, including murder, elder or dependent adult abuse, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle and four counts of identity theft.