The Sacramento Police Department has arrested 25-year-old Casey Brown for the murder of 68-year-old Bernice Nickson. 

On April 10, 2010 at 4:12 a.m., the Sacramento Police Department responded to 8^th Street near Capitol Mall after officers from the California Highway Patrol observed a female lying on the ground with a possible stab wound.  The female was transported to U.C. Davis Medical Center where she later died from her injuries. 

Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded to the scene.   Using surveillance cameras operated by Regional Transit, detectives were able to determine a general description and initial direction of travel of the suspect.  A witness contacted officers at the crime scene and advised that he had located a knife a few blocks away.  Detectives believe that the knife is related to this incident.  Sacramento Sheriff's Search and Rescue team was requested by detectives to assist.  The Search and Rescue team used K9's to track the suspect's direction of travel which led to additional surveillance video from Westfield Downtown Plaza Security.  The mall video led to a witness who was able to provide information for a composite sketch.  Based on the composite, a Sacramento Police Community Service Officer recognized the suspect from a previous contact which led to his identity.

On April 12, 2010, the Police Department's Career Criminal Apprehension Team located and arrested Casey Brown in West Sacramento.  A motive for this crime has yet to be determined.  Detectives believe that Brown stabbed and killed Nickson.  Brown will be booked into the Sacramento County Jail for murder. 

Detectives would like to thank the Sacramento Sheriff's Search and Rescue team for volunteering their time, Regional Transit and Westfield Downtown Plaza Security for their surveillance videos, and the community members who came forward with information all of which helped to solve this murder.