Press Releases

Release Date/Time: 12/20/2011 2:41 PM
Incident: Homicide Investigation Update
Report #: 11-120591
Date: Tuesday, 12/20/2011
Time: 2:30 PM
Location:

The Salinas Police Department has expanded its search for the body of Janet Sorenson, who we believe was killed by her son, Christopher Sorenson, sometime between December 7th and December 12th. Evidence collected during the search warrant at Miss Sorenson's home, and from the van that was driven by Christopher, leads detectives to believe he was in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Detectives are confident Christopher was seen in Salinas on the afternoon of Friday, December 9th. We also have evidence that Christopher was in Santa Barbara County on the afternoon of Monday, December 12th, returning to Salinas in the early evening hours of the 12th. We do not know how far south Christopher had traveled in that time period.

We have sent information to all law enforcement agencies in both counties hoping someone may have seen Miss Sorenson, Christopher and/or the van he was driving. As of this time, we have completed limited physical searches for Miss Sorenson's remains due to the vast area in which she could be located. Those searches have been based on Christopher's known habits and places he has been contacted by law enforcement in the past. With the recent evidence uncovered during the search warrants, we are expanding our search and passing on the information in hopes someone saw something that would provide a starting point for a physical search for her body.

Attached are photographs of the actual van Christopher Sorenson was driving when he was arrested. The van was the vehicle detectives believe was used to transport Miss Sorenson's body. Also attached are photographs of what Christopher Sorenson was dressed like at the time of his arrest. Christopher may or may not have been wearing these clothes during the commission of the crime but detectives wanted to give an accurate depiction of Christopher near the time the crime to place.

If anyone saw any of the involved subjects or vehicle, please contact the Salinas Police Department Investigations Division at (831) 758-7226, or Detective Jim Godwin at (831) 758-7270. Detectives would like to also speak with any students that took piano lessons from Miss Sorenson. Those students are asked to call Detective Godwin, as well.

/userfiles/file/Sorenson Van Front.JPG, /userfiles/file/Sorenson Van Rear.JPG, /userfiles/file/Sorenson Van Side.JPG, /userfiles/file/Christoper Sorenson With Hood.JPG, /userfiles/file/Christopher Sorenson Clothes.JPG, /userfiles/file/sorenson(1).jpg

Release Authorized by: Christopher Lane, Investigations Sergeant
Telephone: (831) 758-7496

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