← Back to United States casesForest Hayes Allegedly Murdered by Alex Tickleman, Santa Cruz, California, United States
Case Summary
Forest Hayes, a 51-year-old Google executive and married father of five, was found dead on his yacht in Santa Cruz, California, on November 22, 2013, from a heroin overdose. Surveillance video revealed that Alex Tickleman, a 26-year-old aspiring model with a history of drug addiction and involvement with other overdose deaths, was the last person with Hayes. Tickleman injected Hayes with heroin and failed to seek help as he overdosed, instead attempting to clean evidence and leave him to die. She was arrested, charged, and pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter, receiving a six-year sentence with likely early release. The case involved a secret extramarital relationship facilitated through a sugar daddy dating website. The Hayes family did not want the case to go to trial or the video released publicly.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: California, United States
City/Region: Santa Cruz
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration:
Affair / New-Partner Context
Recorded context: New relationship started
Reported initiator: Victim
Relationship timing: During marriage or ongoing partnership, before separation
Incident Date: Nov. 22, 2013
Incident Sequence and Additional Victims
Primary reported outcome: Homicide
Reported self-harm outcome: No suicide or attempt reported
Reported sequence: Order not reported / unclear
Additional victims reported: 1
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met online / Email / Website
Relationship Stages:
- Married Living Together
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Drugs / Alchohol Use
- Divorce / Separation
Red Flags:
- Discovery of hidden calls or messages
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Extramarital relationship
- Jealousy
Relationship Outcomes:
- Divorce filed
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met online / Email / Website
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Married
Stages
- Married Living Together
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Discovery of hidden calls or messages
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Drugs / Alchohol Use
- Divorce / Separation
- Money / Financial Gain
- Extramarital relationship
- Jealousy
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2013-11-22
Outcome
- Divorce filed
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Forest Hayes Allegedly Murdered by Alex Tickleman, Santa Cruz, California, United States
48 Hours - USA · Original language: English
View original title
Death of Forest Hayes on his yacht
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Infidelity
Pattern Analysis
The case centers on a married man engaging in a secret extramarital relationship with a younger woman met through a sugar daddy dating website. The relationship involved drug use and financial transactions. The woman's history of drug addiction and involvement in previous overdose deaths suggests a pattern of risky and harmful behavior within intimate relationships.
Investigative Notes
Police investigation included forensic analysis, digital searches of cell phones, and obtaining surveillance video via court order. The video was critical evidence showing the overdose and suspect's behavior. The suspect was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter and other offenses. The victim's family opposed prosecution and public release of the video. The suspect pled guilty and was sentenced to six years with likely early release.
Investigation Confusion
Initial uncertainty about whether the death was accidental or intentional. Conflicting public narratives about the suspect's intent. Police initially kept the death under wraps. The suspect's defense claimed accident and panic, while prosecution emphasized neglect and evidence tampering.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Forest Hayes, a married Google executive, met Alex Tickleman through an online sugar daddy dating site. They engaged in a secret relationship involving drug use. On November 22, 2013, Hayes overdosed on heroin injected by Tickleman on his yacht. Surveillance video showed Tickleman attempting to revive Hayes but failing to call for help and cleaning evidence. Tickleman was arrested months later after a sting operation. She pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The case revealed Tickleman's prior involvement in another overdose death of her fiancé Dean Riyel. The family opposed prosecution and public exposure of the video.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to drug addiction, secretive extramarital relationship, and history of overdose deaths linked to the suspect. The victim's nervousness and the suspect's failure to seek help during overdose indicate significant danger in the relationship dynamic.
Key Takeaways
Secret extramarital relationships involving drug use can escalate to fatal outcomes. Surveillance technology can provide critical evidence in drug-related deaths. Family opposition to prosecution may influence case outcomes. Addiction and financial exploitation are key risk factors in relationship-driven incidents.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The victim's nervousness during drug injection and the presence of a secret extramarital relationship were early signals. The suspect's history of involvement in overdose deaths and drug addiction also signaled risk.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Surveillance video showing drug injection and overdose, discovery of the suspect's profile on a sugar daddy dating website, and digital evidence from the victim's phone were key clues.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Video surveillance from the yacht was the strongest evidence. Digital searches and matching tattoos to the suspect's profile supported the case.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Statements from the yacht captain who found the victim, police investigators, reporters, and acquaintances of the suspect and victim were reported. Chad Cornell provided personal insight into the suspect's life. Christina Brooker commented on the suspect's drug addiction and relationship with Dean Riyel. No direct eyewitness statements from the overdose event were reported.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up reports revealed the suspect's guilty plea, sentencing, and the family's opposition to prosecution. Police reopened investigation into the death of the suspect's fiancé. No further public updates on trial or appeals were available.
What remained unclear?
Exact intent behind the suspect's actions remains unclear. The full extent of prior encounters between the victim and suspect involving drugs is unknown. The role of panic versus neglect in the overdose death is debated.