1991 Smith’s Restaurant stabbing suspect arrested, charged with killing George Smith and Eva Thompson, according to Monterey County D.A.
PRUNEDALE, Calif. (KION) -- The suspect accused of killing George Smith and Eva Thompson at the Prunedale Smith's Restaurant back in 1991 has been arrested, according to the Monterey County D.A.
The D.A. identified the suspect as 85-year-old Ira Ulyesses Bastian of Fresno.
Bastian is accused of killing Smith and his mother-in-law, Thompson.
Mr. Smith and his wife Anna owned and lived at the Smith's Restaurant located on El Camino Real in Prunedale back in 1991.
On November 11 of that year, Anna Smith returned home from running errands to find George and her mother Eva were brutally stabbed to death.
The D.A. said Bastian was a former employee of Smith's Restaurant and was considered a suspect in the initial investigation.
After additional investigation through the years and more sophisticated DNA testing, Bastian was arrested without incident on July 15, 2024.
The D.A. said Bastian could potentially face the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Investigators ask anyone with information about Ira Bastian or the murders of George Smith and Eva Thompson to contact the District Attorney's office.
Cold Case: Was Prunedale diner owner George "Smitty" killed over buried treasure?
Back in 1991 the Smith Restaurant was a family diner in Prunedale where you needed to have a reservation to sit down and eat.
People who remember eating at the establishment, located right off the highway, say it was a "wonderful" family business.
"I remember this restaurant because of the family that owned it. There would be steak and lobster dinners. If you made a reservation for that evening the table was yours all night," said Kathy Forgnone.
Owner George Smith and his mother-in-law were brutally murdered on Veteran's Day of 1991. That November day someone cut the screen of their home/restaurant door, according to George Smith's step-daughter JoAnn Holland.
"Smitty was sitting at his desk, the murderer approached him from behind and slashed his throat. My stepfather never had a chance to react. He was slain like an animal going to slaughter. He was 67-years-old, said Holland in a written testimony with Citizens Against Homicide.
In that same testimony published in June of 2020 Holland said she and her family wanted daily updates and news that justice would be served.
"We pray that the sheriff will once again submit evidence for DNA testing and use whatever resources it will take to solve this crime," pleaded Holland.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said no arrest were ever made and they are looking for leads.
The family believes that the killer knew the layout of the house.
For years, neighbors rumored that the killer was looking for gold coins and two-dollar bills.
