A Santa Barbara man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder this week for killing his father, Bradley Tolivar, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.
Casey Augustin Tolivar, 31, was accused of hitting and killing his father with a steel pipe, and attacking another man with a glass bottle and a rock.
On July 15, 2021, Casey Tolivar assaulted a family friend who went to his home attempting to find Bradley Tolivar, 72, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The assault victim fled the residence, and when deputies responded to the home on North La Cumbre Road, they found Bradley Tolivar’s body.
Casey Tolivar was arrested for assault and booked into the County Main Jail. He was re-booked on murder charges after forensic investigators determined his father died of blunt force trauma, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said Bradley Tolivar’s death occurred sometime between July 10 and July 14.
With Tolivar’s guilty plea to second-degree murder, he will be sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison, the District Attorney’s Office said.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 28 in Santa Barbara Superior Court.