17-year-old victim in double Napa homicide identified

Amy Larson
·2 min read

NAPA, Calif. (KRON) — A 17-year-old girl who was recently slain in a double Napa homicide was identified by a verified GoFundMe page on Wednesday.

Sasha Donnelly, 17, was “brutally murdered” on Saturday evening, the GoFundMe page states. Sasha and a 19-year-old woman were shot to death on the 400 block of Riverside Drive near the Napa River. Both victims’ families were notified by law enforcement officials earlier this week of their deaths.

Sasha Donnelly
Sasha Donnelly (Image courtesy GoFundMe)

“It is with extreme sadness that we come together to support the Donnelly family during their loss. If you’ve met the Donnelly family, you know the type of amazing people they are. Sasha also leaves behind two young siblings … who are also processing this horrible tragedy,” the page states.

The 19-year-old victim’s name has not been officially released by law enforcement. “The victims are acquaintances and have familial ties to Napa,” police wrote.

Immediately after the killings, a black-colored sedan was spotted leaving the scene, the Napa Police Department said. Forty-eight hours later, detectives arrested 22-year-old John Richard Wesley Nicholson Jr. of Vallejo. Prosecutors charged Nicholson with two counts of murder.

A note reading “RIP Sasha” was left at a makeshift memorial in Napa. (KRON4 Photo / Jack Molmud)
A note reading “RIP Sasha” was left at a makeshift memorial in Napa. (KRON4 Photo / Jack Molmud)

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office said Nicholson planned the murders, and carried out the shootings with viciousness and a high degree of cruelty. Nicholson did not enter a plea during his first court appearance.

3 people arrested in connection with double homicide in Napa

Two 19-year-old Santa Rosa women, Jessica Whitten and Judith Adolph, were also arrested on suspicion of aiding in a felony. Prosecutors said charges may be filed against the teenagers as the investigation unfolds. Autopsies will be performed on both victims on Thursday, police said.

The Napa Police Department is asking anyone with any information on the homicides to contact Detective Dustin Dodd at 707-257-9568.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the GoFundMe had raised more than $18,000 for Sasha’s funeral expenses.

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