After more than five years of investigation, Vacaville Police Department detectives have arrested two suspects in connection with the disappearance and death of Luther Derek Harris, a 37-year-old father from Vacaville who was reported missing in May 2020.
On Thursday, police announced the arrests of John Lipsey, 41, and Erika Kelsh, 33, both of Woodland. Lipsey was arrested on suspicion of murder, while Kelsh was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to murder, police said.
Luther Harris was last seen on April 30, 2020, in the parking lot of his apartment complex in the 1500 block of Alamo Drive in Vacaville. He was reported missing on May 10, 2020, by his mother, a Dixon resident, after failing to contact family on Mother’s Day — something described as uncharacteristic for Harris, who was known to maintain close contact with his loved ones.
Initially investigated by the Dixon Police Department, the case was taken over by Vacaville detectives in June 2021. Through the years, detectives with the Investigative Services Section pursued a wide-ranging investigation, conducting numerous interviews, executing multiple search warrants, and collecting critical evidence, police said in a release late Thursday.
“Although leads slowed at times, detectives never stopped pursuing answers,” the department said in the statement.
In December 2024, new evidence suggested Harris may have been the victim of foul play but it was only recently that authorities formally reclassify the case as a homicide. The continued investigation involved ultimately uncovered evidence that led to Thursday’s arrests, police said.
The Vacaville Police Department expressed gratitude for the support provided by several law enforcement partners, including the FBI Sacramento Field Office, the FBI Solano County Violent Crimes Task Force, and the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit.
“While these arrests mark a significant step forward, this remains an active homicide investigation,” police said in the release. “Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, additional details will not be released at this time.” The police added that detectives are “committed to pursuing every lead until full justice for Luther Harris’ family is achieved.”
At the time of his disappearance, Harris was described by the California Attorney General’s Office as a Black male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had several distinctive tattoos, including full sleeve tattoos on both arms, a “Heaven’s Gate” tattoo on his back, Chinese writing on his neck, a prayer scripture on his rib cage, and three gremlins tattooed on his stomach. He also had a scar on his stomach.
When last seen, Harris was reportedly wearing a black hat, red hooded sweatshirt, black jean vest, black pants, and black-and-red Nike shoes. He also wore black-framed glasses, earrings, a watch, and a necklace.
In late August 2025, shortly before Labor Day weekend, Vacaville Police posted a reminder on social media about ongoing missing persons cases, including Harris’, urging the public to come forward with any information. That post referenced that more than 3,500 people were reported missing in California the previous year, noting that while most are found quickly, “sometimes their disappearances last months, years and even decades.”
On Sept. 5, the department issued an update, saying, “Based on information gathered during this investigation, the Vacaville Police Department has re-classified Luther Harris’ disappearance as a homicide,” and again urged anyone with information to contact investigators.
Authorities have not disclosed what specific evidence led to the reclassification or the arrests. Responding to public inquiries online, police said: “At this time, we are not able to share additional details as the investigation is ongoing.” They added, “we simply are asking anyone with potentially related information, no matter how minor it may seem, to reach out and let us know so we can look into it.”
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Detective Vince Santoni at (707) 469-4812.