Topline: Kenneth McNally Jr. shot Samuel Holthaus, dragged him with a cord behind a truck and buried him in a shallow grave.
Published: June 4, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Must Read
Left: Kenneth McNally Jr., Right: Samuel Holthaus (via San Diego District Attorney's Office)
SAN DIEGO, CA — A California judge sentenced a 42-year-old man to 216 years to life in prison for the September 2023 shooting, dragging and burial of a man in San Diego.
Kenneth McNally Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder and multiple assault charges for killing 59-year-old Samuel Holthaus, according to a statement from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.
A passerby discovered the body hours after the killing when they saw the top of Holthaus’ head protruding from the ground, investigators said. Holthaus had an extension cord wrapped around his neck.
At the time of the killing, McNally was on probation for attacking a dog with an ax, authorities said. He had also attacked several other people in the area in the days before the murder.
Early on Sept. 3, 2023, McNally intermittently stayed in trailers in the El Cajon region, residents told police. Witnesses said McNally aggressively demanded rides while hiding a weapon under his jacket.
McNally told one witness that he killed Holthaus and dragged him down a hill with a noose around his neck, the district attorney’s office said. He made a similar statement to a second witness.
A third witness contacted police more than a year later. That witness reported seeing McNally shoot Holthaus, tie an electrical cord to the victim’s neck and attach the cord to the victim’s truck.
McNally used the vehicle to drag Holthaus about 329 feet to the shallow grave, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
Police found blood on the victim’s truck and drag marks leading to a pile of burned trash and coagulated blood. Authorities did not release a motive or state if the two men knew each other.
A San Diego County jury convicted McNally of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an inhabited structure or vehicle, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
PEOPLE reported that during sentencing, Holthaus’ sister described him as a generous man who often cared for her children and joined her in making burritos to feed the homeless.
“There’s no time when Sam would go someplace empty-handed,” she said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Killer Gets 216‑Year Sentence for ‘Extraordinarily Violent’ Murder
Kenneth McNally Jr. shot Samuel Holthaus, dragged him with a cord behind a truck and buried him in a shallow grave.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 4, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Left: Kenneth McNally Jr., Right: Samuel Holthaus (via San Diego District Attorney's Office)
SAN DIEGO, CA — A California judge sentenced a 42-year-old man to 216 years to life in prison for the September 2023 shooting, dragging and burial of a man in San Diego.
Kenneth McNally Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder and multiple assault charges for killing 59-year-old Samuel Holthaus, according to a statement from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.
A passerby discovered the body hours after the killing when they saw the top of Holthaus’ head protruding from the ground, investigators said. Holthaus had an extension cord wrapped around his neck.
At the time of the killing, McNally was on probation for attacking a dog with an ax, authorities said. He had also attacked several other people in the area in the days before the murder.
Early on Sept. 3, 2023, McNally intermittently stayed in trailers in the El Cajon region, residents told police. Witnesses said McNally aggressively demanded rides while hiding a weapon under his jacket.
McNally told one witness that he killed Holthaus and dragged him down a hill with a noose around his neck, the district attorney’s office said. He made a similar statement to a second witness.
A third witness contacted police more than a year later. That witness reported seeing McNally shoot Holthaus, tie an electrical cord to the victim’s neck and attach the cord to the victim’s truck.
McNally used the vehicle to drag Holthaus about 329 feet to the shallow grave, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
Police found blood on the victim’s truck and drag marks leading to a pile of burned trash and coagulated blood. Authorities did not release a motive or state if the two men knew each other.
A San Diego County jury convicted McNally of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an inhabited structure or vehicle, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
PEOPLE reported that during sentencing, Holthaus’ sister described him as a generous man who often cared for her children and joined her in making burritos to feed the homeless.
“There’s no time when Sam would go someplace empty-handed,” she said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Killer Gets 216‑Year Sentence for ‘Extraordinarily Violent’ Murder
Kenneth McNally Jr. shot Samuel Holthaus, dragged him with a cord behind a truck and buried him in a shallow grave.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 4, 2026 4:00 pm ET
Left: Kenneth McNally Jr., Right: Samuel Holthaus (via San Diego District Attorney's Office)
SAN DIEGO, CA — A California judge sentenced a 42-year-old man to 216 years to life in prison for the September 2023 shooting, dragging and burial of a man in San Diego.
Kenneth McNally Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder and multiple assault charges for killing 59-year-old Samuel Holthaus, according to a statement from the San Diego County District Attorney’s office.
A passerby discovered the body hours after the killing when they saw the top of Holthaus’ head protruding from the ground, investigators said. Holthaus had an extension cord wrapped around his neck.
At the time of the killing, McNally was on probation for attacking a dog with an ax, authorities said. He had also attacked several other people in the area in the days before the murder.
Early on Sept. 3, 2023, McNally intermittently stayed in trailers in the El Cajon region, residents told police. Witnesses said McNally aggressively demanded rides while hiding a weapon under his jacket.
McNally told one witness that he killed Holthaus and dragged him down a hill with a noose around his neck, the district attorney’s office said. He made a similar statement to a second witness.
A third witness contacted police more than a year later. That witness reported seeing McNally shoot Holthaus, tie an electrical cord to the victim’s neck and attach the cord to the victim’s truck.
McNally used the vehicle to drag Holthaus about 329 feet to the shallow grave, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
Police found blood on the victim’s truck and drag marks leading to a pile of burned trash and coagulated blood. Authorities did not release a motive or state if the two men knew each other.
A San Diego County jury convicted McNally of first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, shooting at an inhabited structure or vehicle, and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury.
PEOPLE reported that during sentencing, Holthaus’ sister described him as a generous man who often cared for her children and joined her in making burritos to feed the homeless.
“There’s no time when Sam would go someplace empty-handed,” she said.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
