Man kills 90-year-old dad in California then flees to Switzerland, cops say
A California man accused of killing his father is waiting to be extradited after authorities said he fled to Switzerland.
James Smallwood, 54, is charged with murder, elder or dependent adult abuse, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, and four counts of identity theft, according to a June 19 news release from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
On May 18, family members reported 90-year-old Robert Smallwood missing when they weren’t able to get in touch with him for a few days, deputies said.
The next day, deputies went to Robert Smallwood’s home and found him dead, according to authorities. His death was ruled a homicide.
Investigators determined that his son, James Smallwood, was responsible for his death, according to deputies.
James Smallwood was living with his father but fled to Switzerland before his body was found, officials said.
He was arrested on May 29, after investigators worked with the Swiss government, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to find him.
He’s being held in Switzerland awaiting extradition.
Santa Cruz County is about a 70-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.
This story was originally published June 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM with the headline "Man kills 90-year-old dad in California then flees to Switzerland, cops say."
