Tragedy in Santa Rosa: Unraveling the Guth Family Murder-Suicide
In a devastating incident that unfolded in early January 2025, authorities in Santa Rosa have concluded that a father, Clive Guth, was likely responsible for a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of four family members. The tragic event, which occurred in a quiet senior subdivision, has left the community grappling with shock and sorrow. On Wednesday, March 4, 2025, police shared their findings, shedding light on the complex circumstances surrounding the case.
According to investigators, the incident took place in a three-bedroom residence located in the 200 block of Monarch Court, within the Valle Vista senior community. The bodies of Clive Guth, 67, his former wife Donna Guth, 67, and their adult children, Raena Guth, 33, and Cameron Guth, 28, were discovered on January 8 during a wellness check initiated by the boyfriend of one of the deceased. The concerned partner had been unable to reach his loved one since the evening of January 5, prompting him to alert authorities. A neighbor’s observation that the family had not followed their usual routine of taking out the trash on January 6 further heightened concerns.
Sgt. Brandon Matthies of the Santa Rosa Police Department explained that while the investigation pointed toward a murder-suicide from the outset, detectives meticulously explored every possible lead before drawing conclusions. “We never want to jump to a conclusion,” Matthies emphasized in an interview with The Press Democrat. The thorough approach reflects the department’s commitment to ensuring accuracy in such sensitive cases. The Sonoma County Coroner’s Bureau confirmed the identities of the deceased, noting that each family member had sustained “significant” gunshot wounds. Authorities estimate the shootings occurred within 48 hours prior to the wellness check.
A key piece of evidence in the investigation was an unregistered semi-automatic handgun found near Clive Guth’s body. Interviews with individuals familiar with the family revealed that Clive had possessed the firearm for a considerable period, though specific details about its origins remain unclear. While the precise motive behind the tragedy has not been pinpointed, police believe a combination of factors may have contributed to Clive Guth’s actions. Sgt. Matthies noted, “There was just a lot going on,” highlighting financial difficulties and the medical challenges faced by Raena and Cameron, both of whom lived with disabilities, as potential influences. However, he stressed that no single issue stood out as the definitive trigger.
The Guth family’s history offers additional context to the case. Clive and Donna, once married, had resided in the Monarch Court home for over ten years, originally moving in to care for Donna’s mother. Following her mother’s passing, Donna secured special permission from the Valle Vista community, which typically houses seniors, to allow her disabled adult children to remain as permanent residents. Clive, meanwhile, maintained a primary residence in San Jose but frequently visited Santa Rosa to assist with their care, underscoring the interwoven dynamics of the family.
As the investigation nears its conclusion, authorities await the results of an electronic analysis of Clive Guth’s phone and a pathologist’s report detailing the official causes and manners of death. These final steps will provide closure to the case, which marked Santa Rosa’s first homicide of 2025. Tragically, the city saw two additional fatal shootings before January’s end. On January 25, a 20-year-old man lost his life in what police described as a “dispute between friends” on Hoen Avenue, leading to the arrest of Devin Michael McKenzie on suspicion of murder. Just two days later, a woman was found dead on a southwest Santa Rosa sidewalk, with two men subsequently detained in connection to her killing.
Reflecting on the Guth family tragedy, a Santa Rosa Family Law Attorney might comment that this case underscores the profound impact of familial stress, particularly when compounded by financial strain and caregiving responsibilities. Such an attorney could point out that legal mechanisms, like guardianship arrangements or mediation, might have offered avenues to address underlying tensions, though the extreme outcome here suggests deeper, unresolved challenges that legal intervention alone may not have resolved.
The events in Santa Rosa serve as a somber reminder of the complexities within families and the ripple effects of such incidents on a community. As the investigation concludes, residents are left to mourn and reflect on the fragility of life.
