Arrest Made in 2024 Placerville Homicide: Suspect Booked on Murder Charge

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April 24, 2026

EL DORADO COUNTY SHERIFF’S BLOTTER April 23, 2026 — Arranged by Area PLACERVILLE / MAIN STREET CORRIDOR The day broke with cuffs and cold steel along Forni Road and Broadway. A woman was booked on simple battery after a mid-day dust-up near a retail strip. Across town, a man picked up on Broadway faced a parole violation stacked atop a public nuisance charge—no bail, no delay. Echo Lane turned up a familiar mix: probation violations, a controlled substance, and a suspect who didn’t take kindly to deputies doing their job. Highway 49 saw one of the heavier hits—elder abuse, tear gas possession, and contempt rolled into a six-figure bail. Double Grove Street closed the books on the most serious collar of the day: a straight murder charge, no bail offered. Earlier paperwork circled back to a March arrest on Mountain View Road—attempted murder of a peace officer and assault with a semi-automatic firearm among the counts. By sundown, Placerville’s ledger read like old newsprint: violence, violations, and one case that won’t fade anytime soon. SHINGLE SPRINGS / EL DORADO HILLS Durock Road delivered a quiet but heavy felony—post-release supervision violated, no bail set. Gold Strike Drive saw a late-night DUI with probation already hanging by a thread—revoked, again, with bail climbing past $30,000. SOUTH LAKE TAHOE BASIN Emerald Bay Road logged a routine DUI—another driver caught leaning too hard on the bottle. Nearby Wildwood turned up the same story, different name—alcohol behind the wheel, zero bail posted. COUNTY WIDE / OTHER LOCATIONS A quarter-million-dollar warrant came due at RCCC—failure to appear on a felony doesn’t age well. The system caught up. It always does.

April 24, 2026

Arrest Made in 2024 Placerville Homicide After Lengthy Investigation

PLACERVILLE, Calif. — April 24, 2026 — Detectives with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Sacramento man in connection with the October 2024 killing of Tyson Fiddler, marking a significant development in a case that has gripped the local community for more than a year.

Joshua Joseph Lighthall, 47, was taken into custody April 23 in Shingle Springs and booked into the El Dorado County Jail on a no-bail warrant for murder under California Penal Code 187(a). Authorities confirmed the arrest is the result of what they described as a “lengthy and detailed” 18-month investigation.

Fiddler, whose disappearance sparked widespread concern across Placerville and surrounding areas, was last seen around 1:50 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2024, at PJ’s Roadhouse. He was reported missing shortly thereafter. His body was discovered five days later in a remote area of El Dorado County, though investigators have not publicly disclosed the exact cause of death.

“This arrest reflects the tireless commitment of our detectives and the patience of the community as we worked to build a strong case,”

the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

“We remain dedicated to seeking justice for Tyson and his family.”

According to officials, Lighthall is currently being held without bail at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville. Court records indicate he faces a homicide charge with an enhancement for the use of a weapon. As of Friday, an arraignment date in El Dorado County Superior Court had not yet been scheduled.

Investigators have released limited details regarding Lighthall’s alleged role in the killing, noting the case remains active. Authorities have not confirmed whether additional suspects may be involved.

Public records indicate Lighthall has worked in various trades, including painting and carpentry, in the Sacramento and Pollock Pines areas. Social media activity suggests he has participated in local disc golf events, though officials have not connected those details to the case.

The arrest has prompted a wave of reaction across the region, where frustration had grown in recent months over the lack of visible progress. Community members expressed both relief and renewed calls for accountability as the case moves into the court system.

While the arrest marks a critical milestone, law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with additional information to come forward.

ARREST RECORD:

Lighthall, Joshua Joseph
Booking Number: 136262
Booking Date: 4/23/2026 12:00 AM
Status: In Custody
Original Arresting Agency: EDSO
Original Arrest Date: 4/23/2026 5:16 PM
Original Arrest Location: Double Grove St
Total Bail: $0.00
Charge(s): 1 187(A) PC Murder (F) Felony