Justice Delayed: The Unresolved Case of David Josiah Lawson’s Tragic Death Seven Years Ago Today

Kyle Zoellner and David Josiah Lawson: One was badly beaten and one died seven years ago today.

Seven years after the tragic death of Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson, his family continues to seek justice and closure in a case marked by controversy and frustration. Lawson, a black student at what is now Cal Poly Humboldt, was fatally stabbed at a house party near campus on April 15, 2017, sparking a lengthy and complex investigation.

Despite the presence of DNA evidence linking a bloody knife to both Lawson and the original suspect arrested at the scene, Kyle Zoellner, no prosecution has been secured in Lawson’s homicide. 

The lack of resolution after seven years underscores the challenges and delays in the legal process, leaving the Lawson family and the community at large grappling with unanswered questions and unresolved grief. Reaching out to Lawson on the eve of the memorial anniversary of her family’s untimely loss, the mother of three expressed optimism and passion for her family’s ongoing pursuit of justice. 

“I am doing my 5k Run for justice for my beloved son, DJ,” Charmaine Lawson says in a video she forwarded to us. As she jogged in place over 300 miles from Arcata, Charmaine Lawson set the camera-phone down to film a quick message to Humboldt County supporters on the eve of the 7th annual memorial date of her son’s tragic 2017 death in Humboldt County.

As if running towards a verdict itself, Lawson told the camera, “I’m halfway there. So I’m almost done, but I just wanted to give a quick update. I’m doing it DJ! Mommy’s doing everything in her power to make sure you get justice and justice is served for you.” She shifted her focus to the prosecution in the case.. Channeling her energy toward the future, with conviction, Lawson said to the camera, “Evil will never win, And love never die. Justice is coming, baby, [I am] never giving up. Never giving up. You know who you are. We’re coming for you. We’re coming for you!

Before returning to a full jogging pace, Lawson added, “It’s never, never never, never going to end until we get justice. All right. I’ll see you all at the finish line.”

Charmaine Lawson, David’s mother, says she remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice. She continues to advocate for transparency in local government and policing, accountability of public elected officials, and a commitment to solving her son’s homicide, emphasizing the need for integrity and thoroughness throughout the investigations of the past seven years. 

The Arcata Police Department say they remain dedicated to pursuing justice in this open murder case, actively following leads and encouraging witnesses to come forward.

In a recent press release, the Arcata Police Department emphasized the importance of witness accounts in advancing the investigation. With the passage of time, investigators hope that individuals who may have been hesitant to provide information in the past will now be willing to share crucial details that could help bring the case to a resolution. Investigators insist that eyewitness testimonies regarding the events leading up to and including Lawson’s murder are particularly vital in moving the case forward- despite the existing bloody knife and related DNA evidence in the case- which has not been deemed conclusive by investigators, and is simply not enough evidence to bring the case to a close, according to previous statments by the Humboldt County DA.

The full public advisory from APD reads as follows: 

“On April 15, 2017, seven years ago this week, Humboldt State University sophomore student David Josiah Lawson was stabbed to death while attending a house party on Spear Avenue in Arcata. The Arcata Police Department continues to investigate this open murder case. Investigators continue to actively pursue leads and a 24-hour tip line remains open whereby information from confidential sources can be provided to APD investigators. 

Witness accounts are essential to moving this case forward either by corroborating known information or in the development of new leads. Investigators are hopeful, that with the passage of time, witnesses that might have been reluctant in the past, might be willing to come forward now. It is imperative that those witnesses contact investigators to move this case forward.   

Anyone with information regarding the murder of Josiah Lawson is asked to call the Arcata Police Department’s confidential tip line at (707) 825-2590 or APD Dispatch at (707) 822-2424.  Eyewitness accounts of what led up to, and including the murder of Josiah are crucial to bringing this case back to court.”       

For additional information, community members are advised to contact Lieutenant Todd Dokweiler or the Arcata Police Department, at (707) 822-2428 regarding Case #17-1302. 

A photo timeline:

Earlier Stories about David Josiah Lawson:

• 19-Year-Old HSU Student Dies After Stabbing in Arcata Early This Morning
• 23-Year-Old McKinleyville Resident Arrested in Connection with HSU Student’s Stabbing Death
• HSU Offers Students Who Witnessed Stabbing Death Amnesty for Breaking School Rules; Asks Cooperation With Police
• Arcata Police Not Releasing Photo of Suspect in Stabbing Death for Now
• APD Received Anonymous Email About Fatal Stabbing; Pleads With Writer to Come Forward
• Celebration of the Life of Stabbing Victim Will be Held at Humboldt State University Today; Racial Bias Alleged to Have Led to Death
• Hundreds Mourn Slain HSU Student at Thursday Vigil
• Uncle of Fatal Stabbing Suspect Writes Letter to the Editor Urging Community Re-examine Public Statements Made in the Case
• Family of Arcata Stabbing Suspect Claims the Real Killer Has Not Been Caught (Includes Timeline of Events as Presented in Public Statements by Those at the Party)
• HSU and Arcata Police Issue Statements Following Release of Kyle Zoellner in the Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
• District Attorney’s Office Issues Statement as Defendant in Racially Charged Case Released
• Family of Kyle Zoellner Who Was Released Today in Stabbing Death Issues Statement to Family and Friends of Victim
• Justice for Josiah Gathering Keeps Arcata Lively Tonight; Another Protest Called for Tomorrow
• Letter to the Community of Arcata from Kyle Zoellner’s Uncle
• Chanting “‘Justice for Josiah,’ Protesters Gather at the Courthouse
• Family Announces $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to Conviction of Killer of David Josiah Lawson
• APD Chief and Victim’s Mother Offer Updates on the Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
• Letter From Family Member Questions Testimony of Witnesses in Hearing About Kyle Zoellner’s Possible Role in the Death of David Josiah Lawson
• ‘Reckless Statements’ Were Made by Tom Parker, and Lawson Attorney, Shelley Mack, Writes Uncle of Kyle Zoellner in Letter to the Editor
• Protestors Take Over Arcata City Council Meeting Demanding Justice for Josiah
• A Deeper Look at Last Thursday’s Disruption of the Arcata City Council by Protesters Demanding That Tom Parker Be Asked Back to Help in the Josiah Lawson Case
• Mother of Josiah Lawson Claims DNA on Knife Identifies her Son’s ‘Murderer’, Calls for Justice
• Grand Jury ‘Declines’ to Indict Anyone for Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
• Arcata Police Say They Will ‘Work to Identify the Suspect who Murdered David Josiah Lawson’ After Grand Jury Declines to Indict Anyone
• APD Requests Public’s Help Identifying Potential Witnesses in Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
• Zoellner’s DNA on Knife Used to Kill Her Son, Says Mother of David Josiah Lawson in Open Letter
• DA’s Office Responds to Letter From Mother of Slain HSU Student
• Charmaine Lawson, the Mother of Slain HSU Student, Gathers With Supporters on the Two Year Anniversary of His Death
• Who Killed Josiah? A Documentary About Humboldt County and Racism
• California Attorney General’s Office Declines to Take Up Case of David Josiah Lawson
• National Police Foundation Released its Independent Review of Josiah Lawson Case
• Three Years Ago Today–The Killing of David Josiah Lawson Changed This County
• David Josiah Lawson Oration Festival
• On 4th Anniversary of Fatal Stabbing, Arcata Police and Mother of David Josiah Lawson Release PSA Asking for Witnesses to Come Forward
• The City of Arcata and David Josiah Lawson’s Family Announce a Settlement
• Protestors Gather for the 51st Month Since the Stabbing Death of David Josiah Lawson
• A New Website and Billboard on 101: Mother Seeks Justice in Humboldt for the Fatal Stabbing of her Son, David Josiah Lawson
• Five Years After Unsolved Homicide Of David Josiah Lawson, A Family’s Continued Fight For Justice Faces Election Of A New Humboldt County District Attorney
• Lawson Homicide Cliffhanger: $750,000 Awarded Late Yesterday to Kyle Zoellner Could be Reversed
• Judge Finds Arcata Police Officer Had Reasonable Cause to Arrest Zoellner, Throws out Jury’s $776,300 Award
• Zoellner’s Motion for Sanctions Against City Of Arcata Denied in Josiah Lawson Homicide Case
• Charmaine Lawson Writes Letter to the Editor, Urges Filing a Complaint About DA Maggie Fleming
• Arcata Police Search for Witnesses to the Murder of David Josiah Lawson
• The Lawson Homicide: 6 Years Later, Black Lives Matter, and a New District Attorney