A 16-year-old male was arrested in connection with the deaths of his half-brother, father and father’s fiancé. At about 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 13, the possible remains of two people were discovered by Cal Fire after they responded to a burnt residence located at 4646 Highway 193 in Greenwood, a small town east of Auburn in north El Dorado County.
Arson investigators, along with El Dorado County Sheriff’s Detectives, arrived on scene and started their investigation. After a secondary search of the residence, three bodies were discovered. The remains were removed and sent to the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office for identification.
The identities of the three victims were confirmed by the Department of Justice and included 38-year-old Adam Buchanan, who was the owner of the burnt residence. Along with Buchanan were 37-year-old Molly McAfee and their eight-year-old son. Forensics revealed the three victims were shot prior to the fire.
Detectives contacted Adam Buchanan’s 16-year-old son at their primary residence located on Cambridge Drive in Benicia. The teen stated the three victims went to the cabin in Greenwood while he stayed behind.
Buchanan Construction office in Benicia.
Search warrants were served at Adam Buchanan’s business, Buchanan Construction Company, located at 4868 East Second Street, Benicia, and the Cambridge Drive residence. Evidence was found at both locations, including a white Ford 150 pickup truck which contained evidence that contradicted the teen’s statement. A purse belonging to McAfee, which contained a wallet with Adam Buchanan’s identification, along with ammunition and a firearm were found in a business park near Buchanan’s Construction Company.
The evidence was sent for processing to the Department of Justice Laboratory. On October 1st, Adam Buchanan’s 16-year-old’s son, Nolen Buchanan was arrested by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the three murders. The investigation is ongoing.
