Suspected Serial Killer Going To Trial On Charges Of Slashing Elderly Clients' Throats

A suspected serial killer accused of slashing at least three victims’ throats in Northern California is gearing up to go to trial.

Butte County Superior Court Judge Michael Candela ruled on Tuesday that there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for Ryan Scott Blinston, 38, on four new charges, local Action News Now reports. 

The rural tree trimmer was charged last year with murder, attempted murder and arson. He’s accused of preying on elderly clients of his tree-trimming business in both Butte and Tehama counties in 2020, including Loreen Severs, 88, and Homer Severs, 91, of Los Molino. Loreen died as a result of the attack, while Homer survived but has since died of unrelated causes after.

Blinston is also accused of killing Sandra George, 82, at her home in Oroville after also doing tree work at her home.

He's accused of killing his acquaintance, Vicky Cline, 57, also in Oroville, before torching her car. Blood and DNA evidence on and in Blinston’s car was allegedly matched to Cline, whose body was found by a fisherman in the Feather River.

A jury trial date will be set this week, Action News Now reports.

The suspected serial killer is already awaiting a date for his trial in the attempted murder of a 50-year-old man in June 2020. That alleged victim had let Blinston stay in his motorhome after Blinston claimed he was scared of bears outside. The man woke up to his throat being slashed with a knife, but managed to kick the culprit out of his motorhome and lock the door, the Associated Press reported last year.

Blinston has reportedly served time in the state prison in the past for driving a stolen car, possessing stolen items and fleeing highway patrol officers.

He remains jailed without bail as he awaits his trials.