Editor's Note: In a typo that unfortunately changed the meaning of the content, two words were omitted from the article, thereby creating ambiguity about the fact that the DA and the accused are two different people. Content otherwise in the article always clearly stated that accused individual was charged by the San Mateo County DA.
Following a preliminary hearing, San Mateo County District Attorney charged John Caisiano Thompson, age 56, who is being held to answer on all charges related to the alleged murder of a woman in his residence despite the victim’s body remaining unfound. According to an official X account from the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, Thompson was apprehended after a collaborative investigation by the DA's Office and the East Palo Alto Police Department, which initially began as a search for a missing person.
John Caisiano Thompson (56) held to answer on all counts following preliminary hearing. Thompson is alleged to have killed a woman in his home. Body has not been found. He was arrested after joint investigation by our office and @epapd which started as a missing person case. pic.twitter.com/pDE8EtNuXS
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) October 8, 2024
The origin of the case traces back to December 6, 2022, when the departments began probing into the disappearance of 32-year-old Breanna Labat from East Palo Alto, and investigators soon surmised that she had been killed and that the accused had disposed of her remains; this case turned investigation has been marked by the thorough commitment from both the East Palo Alto Police and the San Mateo County DA’s personnel. According to a press release from the City of East Palo Alto California Police Department, on December 28, Thompson was arrested and is now facing charges for the murder of Labat.
Law enforcement is continuing to seek Breanna Labat's remains, and although the motive behind the murder has been kept under wraps, the authorities are calling on the community for assistance. This case has been designated the fifth homicide in East Palo Alto for 2022. Interim Police Chief Jeff Liu encouraged people to provide any information they may have by reaching out anonymously through email, text, or voice mail options.
