San Francisco artist Somboun Sayasane, 75, has been found dead months after his disappearance late last year.
A Laotian painter known for his depictions of California landscapes and San Francisco landmarks, Sayasane gained refugee status in the United States in 1975 after the Pathet Lao took power in Laos. According to SFGate, Sayasane went on to teach at the de Young museum and published a selection of his work in his 2005 book The Park in the City: Impressions of Golden Gate Park.
Alongside his successful artistic career, Sayasane was a beloved community figure, with legendary Rolling Stone journalist Ben Fong-Torres describing Sayasane to SFGate as being “humble about his talents but generous enough to share them with others.”
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Sayasane was initially declared an “at-risk missing person” due to his age and health. He was last seen outside his South Sacramento home on December 26, 2024.
Sayasane’s body was discovered on April 17 off Old Toll Road in Placerville. Investigators arrested Sayasane’s 31-year-old roommate, Benjamin Dougherty, for murder. Dougherty’s father, Robert, 74, was also arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact, having, according to KCRA, helped his son dispose of Sayasane’s body.
Both suspects are being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail. They are due to appear in court on May 19.
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