A Madera County jury on June 4 found John Alan Kingcade guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Reetta Pyburn, following a seven-week trial.
The murder occurred on Aug. 23, 2022, in Oakhurst.
The verdict was handed down in Madera County Superior Court before the Judge Katherine Rigby.
Sentencing was set for June 25 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 21.
Kingcade, 62, faces a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison .
The Madera County District Attorney’s Office recognized and thanked the Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for its “hard work, dedication and tenacity in bringing this case to justice.”
“While there are too many individuals to name, we would like to extend special thanks to Corporals Eric Grijalva, Stanley Price and Michaela Plummer; Detectives Brandon Smith and Brendon Johnson, Assistant Sheriff Robert Blehm and Crime Scene Specialists Daniella Romero, Michaela Scott and Michela Gonzalez,” a statement from the Madera County District Attorney’s office said.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pyburn family,” said District Attorney Sally Moreno.
“While the grief from this unimaginable loss will always remain, we hope this verdict provides some measure of closure.”
The case was prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Eric DuTemple.
The background
Shortly before 10 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2022, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call from a man reporting he discovered his wife deceased at their home, according to a sheriff’s office press release.
Deputies responding to the residence in the 40000 block of Highway 49 located a deceased woman. Following interviews and extensive processing of the evidence at the scene, authorities said, detectives determined the woman was a victim of homicide.
The victim was confirmed to be Oakhurst resident Reeta Lynn Pyburn, 50. Kingcade was arrested on Aug. 24, 2022, and charged with her murder.
Pyburn’s daughter described her mother as a giving woman who loved her kids and grandkids.
“She was a free spirit, who never wore shoes and loved nature and loved the beach the most,” said Demetria Lakeshore. “When (mom) first moved to Oakhurst, she couldn’t believe how small and green it was.”
Lakeshore in 2022 said this should never have happened to her mother.
“My mother was five-foot-two and should not have been beaten to death by the person we thought was taking great care of her. So just be aware — know or find out what domestic violence is and what it looks like.”
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