Accused Santa Barbara Family Killer Indicted by Grand Jury

Late word Tuesday afternoon a local man will face multiple murder charges in the killings of his parents and his children.

A grand jury decided Tuesday that Nicolas Holzer will be tried for murder. He is accused in the fatal stabbings of his parents William and Sheila and his two sons, 13-year-old Sebastian and 10-year-old Vincent.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney said Holzer will also be charged in the death of the family dog. The bodies of all the victims were found inside the family home near Goleta.

The charges carry what are called “special circumstances” because Holzer is accused of multiple murders. He will be in court towards the end this month to continue the legal process toward his murder trial.