Dismembered remains found in golf course lake, 2 acquaintances arrested for murder

The dismembered remains of a person missing since 2018 were found in a golf course lake on Monday, and two Santa Maria residents have been arrested and charged in the case, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday.

An ongoing investigation led sheriff's detectives and a dive team to search a lake on the grounds of the golf course, located on the 1400 block of Golf Course Lane in Nipomo, Monday, where the victim's remains were found. The sheriff's office did not publicly identify the victim, pending verification by the Coroner's Bureau.

Sheriff's detectives executed a search warrant just after midnight Tuesday morning at a location on the 2200 block of Professional Parkway in Santa Maria. Kimberly Machleit, 35, and Donald Anderson, 37, were arrested.

Machleit was booked on charges of felony murder with special circumstances and felony conspiracy and was held on $2 million bail. Anderson was booked for felony accessory to murder and was held on $1 million bail.

Sheriff's investigators said the victim was murdered and dismembered in Santa Maria before being disposed of at the golf course in December 2018. Investigators said all three individuals knew each other. The investigation was ongoing.

MORE:

• Victim's Remains Recovered and Suspects Arrested for 2018 Murder - Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office