“FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 27, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Undersheriff Juan Martinez, (760) 878-0235
ARREST MADE IN INDEPENDENCE HOMICIDE
Suspect in custody for 2023 Homicide of Dorthy McQueen.
Inyo County Sheriff Stephanie Rennie has announced the arrest of a suspect in the 2023 murder of Dorothy
Erin McQueen of Independence.
Steven James Allen, 45, also of Independence, was taken into custody at about 3:22 p.m. today, Tuesday,
February 27 by members of the Inyo County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices. Allen was arrested for and
will face charges of Penal Code section 187, Murder.
The arrest comes after an intensive, 10-month-long investigation following the discovery of a deceased female
— later identified as McQueen — on April 10, 2023, in a culvert outside of Independence off of Mazourka Canyon
Road. With assistance from the D.A.’s Office and Mono County Sheriff’s Office, investigators worked thoroughly
to collect evidence, follow up on leads, and gather information. That thoroughness paid off today with the return
of lab results from the California Department of Justice.
Evidence gathered during the course of the investigation had been sent to the DOJ laboratory for analysis,
which was recently completed. The results were returned to the Inyo County’s Sheriffs Office today and,
coupled with evidence gathered by Inyo Sheriffs investigators, led to Allen’s arrest.
McQueen would have turned 35 on February 5. She is survived by her mother, Carolyn, her son, Lincoln, and
numerous other family members and friends.
The Inyo County Sheriffs Office and District Attorney’s Office extend their sincere condolences to McQueen’s
family, friends, and other loved ones.
The investigation is still ongoing. No additional information will be released at this time to protect the
integrity of the case. The public is reminded that a suspect in any criminal case is presumed to be not
guilty until proven otherwise in a court of law.
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office would again like to thank the public for its ongoing support. Anyone with
information regarding this case is urged to contact Investigator Connolly at (760) 878-0383, option 4.”
