Suspect Arrested in 1994 San Diego Cold Case Homicide

Jeffry Brandenburg, 50, apprehended in Santa Cruz for 1994 stabbing death of Clive Bland

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single piece of crime scene evidence, such as a knife or bloodstained object, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the investigation of a decades-old cold case homicide.Forensic evidence from a decades-old cold case homicide is brought to light through advanced investigative techniques.San Diego Today

More than three decades after Clive Bland was found fatally stabbed near a San Diego beach, authorities have arrested 50-year-old Jeffry Brandenburg of Santa Cruz in connection with the 1994 cold case homicide. Police say advanced forensic techniques, including Forensic Investigative Genealogy, helped identify Brandenburg as the suspect, who has been transported to San Diego and booked into jail for the killing.

Why it matters

This arrest in a decades-old cold case demonstrates the power of modern forensic science and investigative techniques to potentially solve even the most challenging unsolved murders. It also provides some closure for the family and community affected by Bland's tragic death nearly 30 years ago.

The details

On January 2, 1994, Clive Bland was found fatally stabbed near Tourmaline Surf Park in San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood. Police said they conducted "exhaustive investigative efforts" over the years, but the case eventually went cold. Authorities recently identified 50-year-old Jeffry Brandenburg of Santa Cruz as the suspect through the use of Forensic Investigative Genealogy and other advanced forensic techniques. Santa Cruz police arrested Brandenburg without incident, and he has been transported to San Diego and booked into jail for homicide.

  • Clive Bland was found fatally stabbed on January 2, 1994 near Tourmaline Surf Park in San Diego.
  • The case went cold despite years of investigative efforts.
  • Jeffry Brandenburg, 50, was arrested on March 30, 2026 in Santa Cruz, California.

The players

Clive Bland

The victim who was found fatally stabbed near a San Diego beach in 1994.

Jeffry Brandenburg

A 50-year-old man arrested in Santa Cruz, California in connection with the 1994 cold case homicide of Clive Bland.

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What’s next

Brandenburg is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday afternoon in San Diego.

The takeaway

This arrest demonstrates the power of modern forensic science and investigative techniques to potentially solve even the most challenging unsolved murders, providing closure for families and communities affected by tragic crimes decades in the past.