Mendocino County Man Arrested for the Alleged Murder of His Mother, Accused of Setting Fire to Hide Evidence
Above: Fletcher Pinkham
Photos courtesy of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
A Mendocino County man was recently arrested for the alleged fatal shooting of his mother, as well as for allegedly starting a structure fire to hide evidence of the crime.
Just before 8 AM on February 20, deputies from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire on the 39000 block of Little River Airport Road in Little River. Fire personnel had requested law enforcement assistance on the scene as they were in the process of extinguishing a multi-story structure fire. A resident, identified as Linda Mercurio, 75, was believed to be inside the home.
Firefighters informed responding deputies that the structure was unstable and too hot for search efforts; the residence had collapsed due to the fire. Fire personnel stated that Mercurio lived alone at the residence, and that her burned-out vehicle had also been found at the scene.
Prior to law enforcement’s arrival, Mercurio’s adult son, Fletcher Pinkham, 39, was reportedly found in a nearby wooded area in an “altered state.” He declined medical treatment but was detained by Sheriff’s deputies due to suspicious circumstances. A subsequent search of the wooded area led to the discovery of firearms, ammunition, personal belongings, and a vehicle believed to belong to Pinkham.
Based on evidence found at the scene and Pinkham’s statements, investigators concluded that a “violent altercation” had occurred between Pinkham and his mother, resulting in Mercurio’s alleged death by gunshot. Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set to conceal evidence of the crime.
Pinkham was arrested on suspicion of murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony resulting in death. He was held on $1 million bail at the Mendocino County jail.
Search efforts, aided by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team and experts from Chico State University, were conducted in the surrounding wooded area and rubble of the collapsed structure. On February 23, remains believed to be those of Mercurio were recovered from the rubble.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
