DANA POINT, Calif. (Nov. 4, 2026): On Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., deputies were called to the area of Breakers Isle and Niguel Shores Drive in Dana Point. Acquaintances went to a residence in the area to check on a friend, a white male in his 70s, and found him deceased inside the home.
Sheriff’s Homicide, the Orange County Crime Lab, and the Coroner all responded to the residence. Preliminarily, investigators believe the subject was shot at the residence several days prior.
Using investigative techniques, including Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data, investigators located the victim’s car in San Francisco. Sheriff’s investigators collaborated with members of the San Francisco Police Department to locate the vehicle, which was occupied by the suspect, Cordell Dionte Studley, 32. Investigators found several items of evidence inside the vehicle linking Cordell to the crime, including a handgun. Cordell was arrested for CPC 187 Homicide and is pending transport to the Orange County Jail.
The nature of Cordell's relationship with the victim remains unknown. The victim’s information is being withheld pending official identification and next-of-kin notification. No further details will be released at this time.
The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS, or online at www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.
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