San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan joined tribal leaders and law enforcement partners November 9 at Pala Resort for the first convening of the San Diego County Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) Collaborative since a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in May 2026 in Sacramento.

The convening, which was hosted and planned by the Pala Band of Mission Indians, marked an important step in continuing the partnership between the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Jamul Indian Village and Bureau of Indian Affairs to strengthen the response to missing and murdered Indigenous people cases.

The MOU established a framework for greater coordination, information-sharing and collaboration among tribal governments and law enforcement agencies. The partnership is intended to strengthen investigative efforts, improve communication across jurisdictions, build trust with Indigenous communities and ensure families affected by these cases receive meaningful support. The agreement formalizes a shared commitment to work across jurisdictions to investigate and solve cases involving Indigenous victims, including murder, missing persons—with a special focus on minors—kidnapping, and human trafficking.

“For far too long, missing and murdered Indigenous people have been treated as statistics rather than human beings whose lives matter,” said Chairman Robert Smith, from the Pala Band of Mission Indians Chairman. “Behind every case is a family living with unimaginable pain and unanswered questions. Our people deserve more than expressions of concern. They deserve answers, accountability and justice. This partnership is about making certain that no missing person is forgotten, no family is left to search for answers alone, and no Indigenous life is ever considered less worthy of protection.”

“The MOU was an important commitment to our tribal partners and Indigenous communities, but our work does not stop with signing an agreement,” DA Stephan said. “We are committed to building trust, strengthening communication and working together to improve investigations, encourage early reporting and provide meaningful support to victims and families. Justice for Indigenous victims is a shared responsibility, and this collaborative is an opportunity to turn that responsibility into action. To the families, survivors and advocates who continue to push for answers and justice, we hear you, we stand with you, and this work is for you. Every family deserves to know that their loved one matters and that their case will receive the attention and coordination it deserves, which is the purpose of this convening.”

The convening provided an opportunity for participating partners to discuss shared priorities, strengthen relationships and continue identifying ways to advance the goals outlined in the agreement, which include:

• Enhancing public safety through coordinated, multi-agency investigations
• Ensuring comprehensive and collaborative casework
• Facilitating the prosecution of offenders and reopening cases when appropriate
• Building trust among law enforcement, tribal partners, and the community
• Promoting awareness and early reporting to law enforcement
• Providing appropriate and supportive victim services in MMIP cases

“The importance of entering into a formal agreement with San Diego’s tribal governments to aggressively investigate cases where family members have gone missing cannot be overstated,” Sheriff Kelly Martinez said. “The historical trauma Native American tribes have faced in the United States has created mistrust that must be overcome. As the Sheriff, I am committed to supporting San Diego’s first people, and this is not just symbolism but a real step toward building trust and supporting our community.”

“Protecting our people takes all of us,” Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village Erica Pinto said. “I am grateful that our governments can work together with mutual respect and a shared commitment to justice, so that we can better serve families searching for answers about their loved ones. I thank District Attorney Summer Stephan for her leadership and partnership in moving this collaboration forward. Together, we must turn our commitments into action, ensuring American Indian families are heard and supported as we work to end the MMIP crisis.”

The gathering took place during Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and honor the history, culture and contributions of Indigenous communities. It also serves as an important reminder of the ongoing need to address the MMIP crisis and support the families and communities impacted by it.

The collaborative plans to hold its second convening in March 2027, continuing discussions and advancing efforts to strengthen coordination and collaboration among its partners. The collaborative will continue working together to advance the goals of the MOU and strengthen the collective response to missing and murdered Indigenous people cases throughout the region.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Cedric Von Ferdinand, 34, has been arraigned for the murder of Nadine Jett, a retired Los Angeles attorney who disappeared in January 2024 and was later found buried on her Valley Center property. Von Ferdinand is charged with murder for financial gain by poison and he faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty. 

Von Ferdinand has already been ordered to stand trial on 33 felony counts related to a real estate fraud and theft scheme he committed on the estate of the victim, who had also been his foster mother. Those charges and allegations include grand theft, identity theft, forgery, and filing false documents with a loss totaling over $500,000.  

“This is the most despicable act someone could commit against a mother figure who gave the best of herself to someone in need,” DA Stephan said. “This defendant preyed on Nadine Jett when she was at the lowest point of her life, fighting cancer. I am grateful to the outstanding work of the Sheriff’s detectives who investigated this case and our own team of investigators and prosecutors who worked on this case to make sure justice could be pursued.” 

In addition, Kim Pifer, 60, is charged as a codefendant with multiple counts of forgery and identity theft for impersonating Nadine Jett on two occasions at defendant Von Ferdinand’s request after Jett had already died. 

In August 2023, Jett was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and began chemotherapy. Von Ferdinand moved into her Valley Center home to care for her. At that time, Jett owned her Valley Center residence as well as two investment properties in Los Angeles County. She also had three certificates of deposit (CDs) at her bank totaling about $675,000. 

Jett went to a chemotherapy appointment on January 14, 2024. Shortly afterward, Von Ferdinand told friends and family that Jett only had a few months to live, that she wanted to be cremated and that she did not want anyone to know her condition. He also told them that they were going to Mexico for a second opinion, which they did in March, according to what he told family. By the end of that month, Von Ferdinand said Jett had died in Mexico and that her body had been cremated. 

However, he could not produce a death certificate, and family members reported Jett missing in June 2024. About a month later, they reported suspicious real estate transactions involving her three properties to the District Attorney’s Office. 

District Attorney Investigators discovered deeds purportedly signed by Jett on January 26, 2024, transferring all three of her properties to Von Ferdinand. They also found a power of attorney purportedly signed by her the same day. All four documents were notarized. Investigators seized the notary journal associated with the documents and determined that the thumbprint in the journal belonged to the defendant, not to Jett. 

DA investigators found that Jett’s CDs were liquidated on January 15 and 16, 2024, coinciding with their maturity dates. The following month, Von Ferdinand used those funds to purchase a $500,000 condo in Gardena, California. In April 2024, he sold one of Jett’s Los Angeles properties, receiving more than $200,000 in proceeds. The District Attorney’s Office filed felony fraud charges against the defendant in April 2025. 

In the meantime, Sheriff’s detectives searched for Jett or evidence of her death. Unable to find her or a death certificate, homicide detectives took over the investigation. They learned that around January 16, 2024, the defendant had solicited someone to dig a six‑foot hole, and that on January 17, 2024, he told an acquaintance that Jett had died. They also determined that Jett had a scheduled CT scan on January 19, 2024, which she did not attend. Detectives concluded that the last confirmed sighting of Jett was at her January 14 chemotherapy appointment and that when she left that appointment, she was wearing a Neulasta patch intended to boost her immune system, which could be removed after 27 hours. Detectives found that on January 25, 2024, the defendant called to cancel all of Jett’s future medical appointments. 

In July 2025, Sheriff’s Detectives searched Jett’s Valley Center property and found her partially mummified remains buried in a six‑foot hole near her residence. Her body had been wrapped in a bed sheet, and she was still wearing the same pajamas seen in photos of her taken around Christmas, as well as the Neulasta patch. 

The Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and submitted liver and stomach samples for toxicology testing. The results revealed extraordinarily high concentrations of fentanyl ingested shortly before death. The fentanyl contained acetyl fentanyl, which is commonly found in illicitly manufactured fentanyl but not in pharmaceutical‑grade fentanyl. The toxicologist opined that the amount ingested constituted a massive overdose. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity and that the manner of death was homicide. 

In August 2026, Sheriff’s detectives searched the defendant’s condo in Gardena, California, where they discovered a recorded marriage license. The license purported to marry defendant and Jett. It was signed and notarized on May 18, 2024 and recorded in Los Angeles County the next day. 

“Investigators with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office and San Diego County District Attorney’s Office worked together tirelessly with one goal in mind—to find justice for Nadine Jett and her family,” said San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez. “For more than two years, the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit’s Cold Case and Missing Persons team logged countless hours sifting through evidence and interviewing people to find out what happened to Jett. Let this case send a clear message to criminals: no matter how much time goes by, we will hold those responsible for such horrific acts accountable for their actions.” 

Von Ferdinand pleaded not guilty today in Vista Superior Court. Deputy District Attorneys John Dunn and Alex Poyhonen are prosecuting this case.  

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that Stephen Mathews Coney, 30, was sentenced to 31-years-to life in prison for the fatal stabbing of a 59-year-old man during an altercation at an El Cajon apartment complex in August 2025.

A jury convicted Coney of second-degree murder on September 9, 2026 for killing Albert Johnson after deliberating for less than a day.

“This victim took his last breath in public in front of shocked children who witnessed the violent confrontation,” DA Stephan said. “While no sentence can undo the pain suffered by the victim’s loved ones, holding the defendant accountable is an important part of seeking justice. Our office remains committed to protecting victims and their families and ensuring that those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable.”

Coney, a jealous ex-boyfriend, confronted the victim, who had recently rekindled his 5-year relationship with Coney’s ex-girlfriend, in the parking lot of an apartment complex on South Sunshine Avenue near West Renette Avenue in El Cajon. During the confrontation, Coney pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed the victim. El Cajon Police Department officers responded to the scene and found Coney at the apartment complex, where he was arrested. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

The deadly confrontation took place in front of several children who were in the apartment parking lot. One child witness testified during the trial that she and her siblings and cousins saw Johnson defend himself, fight for his life, and take his last breath.

Nearly 30 family members were in attendance throughout trial and sentencing to support Johnson and relay the impact this murder has had on them and their loved ones. The victim’s father, Wyatt Johnson said:

“Our family is stunned and left lonely because of the empty space that has been left because of the dastardly crime perpetrated on my son. Albert was making life a little better for those all around him and his children, who now are left without a father and example of a good man whom they could look up to, and know what righteous life is all about.” – Wyatt Johnson

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Abrey Zora.