The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the investigation into Ricky Dawson remains active, following recent charges linking him to a long-unsolved murder case. Dawson, 65, is accused of the 1992 murder of Nancy Hernandez, whose case has resurfaced thanks to advances in DNA technology. The announcement was made by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on 22 July 2023.
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The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) identified Hernandez as a 45-year-old homeless woman who was discovered murdered in a utility corridor on Hang Ah Alley on 2 May 1992. Officers arrived around 6:14 PM, where they found her lifeless body. Preliminary investigations revealed that Hernandez had been beaten, strangled, and sexually assaulted.
It was not until 11 October 2023 that the SFPD’s Homicide Cold Case Unit reopened Hernandez’s case and utilised DNA profiles from the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) for comparison. Following this review, a warrant for Dawson’s arrest was issued on 2 January 2025. Police Chief Bill Scott expressed his commitment to justice in a statement, emphasizing that no case is beyond resolution, no matter how much time has passed. He praised the cold case investigators for their persistent efforts in bringing accountability to Hernandez’s family.
In addition to the charges related to Hernandez’s murder, Dawson has been implicated in three other sexual assault homicides across the United States. Authorities have linked his DNA to cases in Panama City Beach, Florida, Seattle, Washington, and Denver, Colorado, notably including the 1996 murder of Terri Turachak. This connection to multiple homicides categorises Dawson as a potential serial killer, as defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which outlines that such individuals are responsible for the unlawful killing of two or more victims during separate incidents.
Dawson previously faced a life sentence in Colorado for a 1996 sexual assault and murder before being extradited to California for the most recent charges. During his arraignment on 20 July, he pleaded not guilty to all the allegations he is facing and continues to deny any involvement in these cases.
Moreover, investigators have established a link between Dawson’s DNA and the cold case murder of Debbie Cashio, a woman who was found in Seattle in 2000 with multiple blunt force injuries and died from strangulation. However, no charges have yet been filed in connection with Cashio’s death.
Dawson is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on 30 July. While formal charges have been laid, the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are keen to gather any further information that could assist in these cases.
The San Francisco Police Department encourages anyone with details related to this investigation to come forward. Individuals can contact the SFPD Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or send a text message to TIP411. Tips can be provided anonymously for those wishing to remain undisclosed.
As the investigation progresses, the authorities continue to demonstrate their dedication to bringing justice for the victims and their families, reflecting a commitment to resolving even the oldest of cases.