Arrest made in disappearance and murder of Madera County woman Wendy Pullins, sister says

MARIPOSA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- An arrest has been made for the disappearance and murder of missing Madera County woman Wendy Pullins.

Wendy's sister, Holly Pullins, says the Mariposa County Sheriff's arrested Justin Bolton Tuesday morning.

"They changed it to a murder, and they called me last night and told me that he has been arrested," said Holly.

It was an arrest that Holly had long been waiting for.

Looking back on the timeline of Wendy's disappearance, the arrest has been more than a year in the making.

On June 15, 2022, Wendy was reported missing after not showing up to work.

In September, Mariposa County Sheriff's deputies found Wendy's Jeep in a rural part of the county.

More than a year later, a homicide investigation was opened in September of 2023 after test results confirmed a large amount of Wendy's blood was found in her Jeep.

RELATED: Woman pleads for answers in sister's disappearance as Mariposa County deputies search for suspect

In October authorities announced they were looking for a white Subaru in connection to the case.

Later that same month, officials identified Justin Bolton as a suspect in the case.

On Tuesday, we learned Justin Bolton is in custody after being arrested in Mendocino County.

"Yesterday with the help of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, Mendocino and Lake County Regional Swat Team, our Mariposa Sheriff detectives were able to locate and take Justin Bolton into custody for the murder of Wendy Pullins," said Sheriff Jeremy Briese with the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office.

But there are still many questions left unanswered.

"They're still looking, he told me they're going to bring her home, they're still going to search for her," explained Holly.

Detectives say this case is not closed.

"Just because Bolton is in custody for the murder of Wendy Pullins does not mean that we're done, and what I'm saying is we need to ensure that everybody and anybody that was involved in this case will be held accountable," added Sheriff Briese

As Wendy's sister waits for more answers, she shares what she knows in her heart.

"I know she's not because she would never, she would never stay gone from me this long," said Holly.

Detectives say they will be partnering with the Mariposa County District Attorney's Office to give more detailed information as this investigation continues.

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