When Tushar Atre was kidnapped within the predawn hours of October 1, 2019, from his dwelling perched on the oceanside cliffs in Santa Cruz, California, his buddies and neighbors within the normally quiet surf group have been in disbelief. Confusion over who would kidnap the profitable tech government and hashish entrepreneur turned to worry after he was discovered lifeless hours in a while one in every of his hashish properties — having sustained stab wounds and a deadly gunshot wound to the again of the top.
"Everybody was spooked. You could possibly actually see the worry in individuals's eyes," says CBS San Francisco, KPIX reporter Maria Cid Medina.
Investigators with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Workplace forged a large web for suspects, however in response to Cid Medina, they initially didn't have a lot to go on. CBS Information correspondent Tracy Smith explores the following seven-month lengthy investigation in "Who Shot the Tech Exec?" an all-new "48 Hours" airing Saturday, April 2 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
"There weren't quick suspects," says Cid Medina. "You bought a way that investigators didn't have any leads on this case.
That every one modified when detectives started to dig deeper into Atre's hashish enterprise. As they interviewed his workers and associates, there have been two names they heard greater than as soon as.
"Two of the names that saved popping up have been Stephen Lindsay and Kaleb Charters," says former police chief and "48 Hours" marketing consultant Steve Cercone.
Each males had labored for Atre in August of 2019 on one in every of his hashish properties — doing principally guide labor placing up fence posts and planting. Investigators interviewed each males in December 2019, two months after Atre's homicide and discovered they'd solely labored for him for lower than two weeks. However in that quick time frame there was plenty of animosity. Lindsay and Charters apparently misplaced a set of Atre's automotive keys, after which they discovered he had stopped cost on their paychecks. Lindsay admitted to investigators he was so upset he wished to struggle Tushar. There was additionally a narrative that detectives later discovered surrounding a singular type of punishment Atre allegedly inflicted on the boys.
"Apparently, he'd made them do push-ups … in entrance of different individuals," says Cercone. "If that have been the case, they have been most probably humiliated."
The keys have been discovered and Atre ultimately did pay Lindsay and Charters for his or her work, although solely partially. They advised investigators their dispute with him was resolved, and that they by no means returned to Santa Cruz after they stopped working for him. However 5 months after their interviews, they — together with Kaleb's brother, Kurtis Charters, and a buddy, Joshua Camps, have been arrested for Atre's kidnapping and homicide. Investigators stated it was a theft gone mistaken, however Mary Fulginiti, a former federal prosecutor and "48 Hours"marketing consultant, says there's extra to the motive and suggests they should look no additional than how Atre allegedly handled Lindsay and Charters.
"Does this story of Tushar humiliating Stephen Lindsay and Kaleb Charters level to motive?" Tracy Smith requested her.
"Sure," replied Fulginiti. "Undoubtedly."
She says the truth that each males have been within the U.S. Military Reserve may also play into lingering resentment.
"While you take a look at the Military Reserve, proper, and also you take a look at the Military or any of the navy operations, I imply, they're taught respect," says Fulginiti. "And right here he's feeding into that disrespect … and mistreatment."
All 4 males have pleaded not responsible and are awaiting trial. It is a day that Tushar Atre's family members sit up for as they grapple together with his loss.
"Persons are trying ahead to this trial beginning," says Medina. "And so they need to see justice served, particularly Tushar's buddies."