The police have arrested two suspects in relation to the 2020 disappearance and suspected murder of Luther Harris. According to a social media post from the Vacaville Police Department, detectives apprehended John Lipsey, 41, for the murder and Erika Kelsh, 33, for being an accessory. Harris was a father of two and was last seen at his apartment complex on Alamo Drive.
Harris's story began to unfurl when his mother, after not receiving contact from him for Mother’s Day, reported him missing to the Dixon Police Department on May 10, 2020. The Vacaville Police Department soon took over the investigation, executing search warrants and conducting interviews to bring critical evidence to light slowly. In December of 2024, this evidence suggested Harris could tragically have been the victim of a homicide. This revelation shifted the course of the investigation towards seeking his assailants.
The Vacaville Police Department, in their investigation, received assistance from several federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the FBI's Sacramento Field Office and the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit. The collaborative effort culminated in the recent arrests, marking a pivotal moment in a case that has lingered for over five years. Despite the progress, the department maintains that this is still an active investigation, and details remain scant as detectives continue their pursuit of justice.
The police department is encouraging anyone with information regarding the case to contact them and assist in their ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact Detective Vince Santoni at (707) 469-4812.
