Coronado Man's Murder in San Diego Canyon Unsolved After 25 Years

Who killed William Robinson? Homicide detectives have been searching for clues since 1988 when the Coronado resident's body was found in a San Diego canyon where he'd gone to look at some property he was thinking of buying.

Robinson, a retired Navy captain, was killed in broad daylight, stabbed and bludgeoned by an unknown assailant. The initial investigation failed to identify any suspect or motive. Speculation on a veteran's web site called Patriot Files was that his murder was a "professional hit." 

What authorities do know is that on Feb. 9, 1988, Robinson and his friend Dan Carnthwaite went to look at a prospective development site in a canyon on Juniper Street in North Park. When Robinson discovered his keys missing, Carnthwaite walked back to an office to pick up a second set. When he returned to the canyon, he found Robinson fatally injured—stabbed in the neck and with his head beaten. 

New tips are needed to solve this case. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities:

—San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293

—Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477

—Information call also be submitted using an Online Tip Form (Crime Stoppers)

About this series:

Scores of cases throughout San Diego County go unsolved by local law enforcement investigators each year. A teen thought to be a runaway has still not come home. A dangerous parolee goes missing. A parent in a custody dispute kidnaps the children. A family member who is homeless and mentally ill disappears off the street. A loved one is murdered and there are few clues or no suspect.

No matter what the circumstances, police and relatives continue to search for those who are missing and wanted. They want the son, sister, or husband home. They want justice for the victims of crimes. They want the bad guys behind bars.

Each day in October, our Patch sites will feature a different person who is missing and wanted in San Diego County. Look at their pictures. Have you seen them? Do you have information that might help them be located, or identify a suspect?

Each profile will have a phone number for you to call to provide information. Let’s help investigators close these cases!