Missing family case in Benicia turns into criminal investigation

Forensic officers and have still not identified the remains found in the house and police in Benicia and El Dorado are refusing to link the missing people to the discovery. A spokesman for the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said the coroner had not yet identified the two people found dead in the cabin more than a week ago in the Georgetown area east of Auburn (Placer County).

For neighbors in Benicia, it is a mystery that appears to be leaning towards a sad outcome.

No one seems able to say for sure what’s become of Adam Buchanan, his longtime live-in girlfriend Molly McAfee and their seven-year-old son Gavin. Investigators want to know where they are and what started the fire at the cabin.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office released a statement confirming that investigators found remains of two bodies in the burned down house.

Benicia police Lt. Mike Greene said his officers “were not investigating anything” and referred inquiries to El Dorado County. “But the official status for all three of them is still missing”.

An attorney for the Buchanan family, Stephen Gizzi, confirmed that deputies had questioned other family members and had seized the items at the Benicia home and office.

Adam is the president of Buchanan construction, whose offices are in Benicia not far from the family home. That fire inside the family cabin happened on September 13. “And if it takes a criminal investigation they are certainly willing to support that and participate and cooperate in any way they can to get those answers”, said Gizzi. The family is from Benicia, according to authorities.