The Fight for Dwight

After their sister Marilyn was murdered at the age of 19, the Sullivan brothers made a pact that if anything happened to another one of them, the other brothers would never let it go. Dwight Sullivan initiated the pact. In an ironic twist of fate, it would be Dwight himself, who Dan and David would need to fight to fulfill that promise.

Photo of Dwight courtesy of Denise Sullivan

31 years ago today, Dwight Sheldon Sullivan was found dead with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was only 33 years old. Many of his family and friends have no idea why someone would kill Dwight. I met with Dwight's brother Dan and his wife Denise who gave me some insight into Dwight's character and his behavior leading up to his death. The Sullivan's were taught by their father growing up that there were these rules to live by. Don't steal, don't lie, lying and stealing are the same, and your handshake is the gospel. Dwight reminds me of what you would call a good ole boy. He was the life of the party. That big smile he had cheered up any room. At the same time, he was rough and rowdy, he loved the ladies and he loved a good fight. He would oftentimes seek one. Once at his favorite bar a guy yelled across the room to Dwight and said: " I want to arm wrestle you for $50.00". Dwight replied, "fuck you, I'll fight you for $100.00". Dwight's brother and sister in law also told me fishing was his life. Although he loved hunting, water skiing, gardening, and playing music, fishing was his real love.

Photo of Dwight courtesy of Denise Sullivan

Dwight had a seasonal job at Harter's packing company, where he had worked for about 15 years. After the season was over he enjoyed his time doing what he loved. At the time of his death, he was listed as unemployed however it was most likely between seasons. At times he also helped his brother Dave in Dave's company.

 Dwight was living at 2551 Plumas-Arboga Road in Arboga, California, and that is where his life ended. This is a very rural area on the outskirts of Yuba County. He shared the home with his wife Dianna Sullivan, and step-son Jerry. The property had two homes sitting on it. One of which they rented out. Dwight and his wife had been together for about 10 years before getting married just 14 months prior to his death. They also had dogs in the home who were very protective.

2551 Plumas-Arboga Road as it stands now, courtesy of Anna Hill.

On March 09, 1989, Dwight's friend, Michael Wayne Prather, went to the home. When Dwight did not answer the door Michael entered the home to find Dwight dead. No one was said to be in the house at the time. His wife left for work between 8:30 and 9:00 that morning. The authorities were said to have arrived around 1:45pm and notated that until the autopsy confirmed the time of death their estimated time of death was sometime in the previous 12 hours. Without a copy of the autopsy report, we have no update to report on the time of death. Leading up to his death his family and friends informed me that Dwight had become very concerned that someone was out to get him or worse going to kill him. Dan and Denise thought he was becoming increasingly paranoid. He put up a new fence and started keeping Drew, his dog, in the front yard for protection. He also slept with a gun, however, it was not the gun that was used to kill him.

The Appeal Democrat clippings courtesy of Shellie West.

Dwight's father tried what he could to fight for answers, however, he passed away just months after his son. Dwight's brother Dave has since passed, and Dan and his wife are the ones left here to try to solve this mystery on their own. They have received no updates from the police. Years after the murder they received an anonymous letter with a map enclosed. The map leads them to a trailer across the street from the home,  where it was indicated they would find the gun used in the murder if they dug up the well. They gave this letter and map to the police. Dan and Denise ended up buying that property to dig up the well. They found nothing.

Dan felt an injustice due to having been questioned by police regarding the murder of two 13-year-old girls 16 years prior to Dwight's murder. Dan and Dwight were out hunting that morning and found the bodies of the girls They alerted authorities. Although they were not officially named as suspects Dan always felt that his brother's case was not taken seriously by the police due to their believed involvement. Dan said that he never heard anything from Sheriff Bob Day, and the only thing the Under Sheriff Virginia Black told him was it was quick, he didn't suffer or see it coming. Years later the men responsible were arrested for the death of the young girls. That case was later solved, however, Dan feels as though the police simply didn't care about Dwight's case or that it was a blight to the county having a murder go unsolved. Dan wondered if perhaps some just wanted it to go away. To this day it is not even listed on Yuba County's unsolved case website. It is as if Dwight had been forgotten.

The Appeal-Democrat

Dan Sullivan told me that his brother, although loved by everyone, was known to be a bit of a player. In fact, he had a long time girlfriend named Juanita. Juanita confirmed he was quite the lady's man. Although it was thought that he shared an apartment with Juanita, she had informed me that she broke it off with Dwight in February of 1989. They met at work and dated from 1984 to 1989. They remained friends after the end of their relationship. Juanita remembered talking to Dwight on the phone about a week before his murder. He was having a party with his buddies. He told Juanita one of his friends struck it rich and they were celebrating. She declined to go to the party. 

In our conversation, Juanita expressed that Dwight did not like to be home alone out in the country. Juanita also confirmed he slept with a gun, and that he was a very light sleeper. Everyone has mentioned they thought it was strange that he didn't wake up with someone in the house and the dogs didn't alert him. Many who've spoken to me regarding this case, have said that no one could get past those dogs if they didn't know them. This makes it hard for the family and friends of Dwight to believe it was a stranger. 

In keeping transparent, Dan and Denise say that Dwight also had some recreational drug use, which the family thought was the cause of his paranoia. But then again in the '80s, this was common. Who didn't use from time to time? 

Still, this was no reason to cut his life short. 

After Dwight's death, his wife left the home. The house remained vacant for years as a harsh reminder that something tragic happened here. When the property was finally sold the caption read:

"Property Overview - Contractor Special!!! This Property Has Been Abandoned For Close To 20 Years And Needs Lots Of Work May Need To Be Torn Down. Seller Has Not Been On The Property In Approx 20 Years. There Are 2 Houses And It Is An Acre".

The home's listing.

Dwight is buried at Sierra View Memorial Park in Olivehurst.

Find a Grave

Let us all join in Dan and Denise's fight for Dwight.

Dan, Denise, thank you both. And to all the friends and family who've come forward to speak to us about this case. The response was overwhelming.  We hope that justice can be served.

 The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest & conviction of the person responsible for Dwight's death.

For any information regarding the murder of Dwight Sullivan please contact the Yuba County Sheriffs Office @ 530-749-7777