Ronald Travnick was 28 and from Santa Cruz when he disappeared on August 25, 1974. According to the case history, he was lured to a residence in the Felton area by an individual named Taylor. Taylor was later convicted of killing Travnick; the conviction states Taylor shot him five times with a .45 caliber handgun.

Travnick’s body was never recovered, and the case remains a cold, unresolved loss for the family and community despite the conviction and the denial of parole to Taylor on multiple occasions. The case drew substantial local attention at the time and helped shape the period’s reputation for violent crime.

Anyone who has information about Travnick, his last movements in August 1974, or the Felton residence is asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Cold Case Unit.