Ralph Knappenberger

Status:

Solved

Jurisdiction:

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department (CA)

Offense Location:

31462 Yucaipa Blvd Yucaipa CA

Case Disposition:

A 50-year-old Stateline man – taken into custody by a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy who stopped to help two men by the side of the road – has been charged with murder in a 30-year-old California cold case.

Summary:

deputies were dispatched to Ralph’s residence, which was located at 31462 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa. Upon arrival, deputies located Ralph inside his apartment. Ralph was severely beaten and was transported to Loma Linda hospital. Ralph died on 02/14/1983 while in the Intensive Care Unit. Ralph’s vehicle was stolen during the assault and was located in Riverside. (H# 1982-109)

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

a neighbor saw blood on the sidewalk outside and heard moaning inside an apartment unit. A deputy entered the unit and found Ralph Knappenberger severely beaten inside a bedroom, according to a Sheriff’s news release. Sheriff’s detectives identified Bernhard Hahm – now 51, but was 22 at the time of Knappenberger’s death – as a man seen in the Ford Fairmont a few days before the beating, Sheriff’s officials said. Detectives alleged that Knappenberger gave Hahm a ride to the apartment. But investigators never found Hahm to interview him. Sheriff’s cold case investigators re-opened the case in late 2010 and began searching for Hahm across the country. Law enforcement officers found Hahm Saturday in Douglas County, Nev. when his vehicle broke down on the side of the road. Detectives Greg Myler and Rob Alexander interviewed Hahm Monday about his involvement in Ralph Knappenberger’s death, almost 30 years after the killing. Detectives arrested Hahm on suspicion of murder at the conclusion of the interview. He was booked at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. He is being held without bail. The case went cold after detectives were unable to find Hahm.

Additional Details:

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Sheriff Homicide Detail (909) 387-3589 or WE TIP 1-800-78-CRIME Officials learned the men knew each other and that Hahm, 22 at the time of the assault, was seen in Knappenberger’s vehicle days before the beating, officials said. Hahm also reportedly and had been at Knappenberger’s house on the day of the assault, officials said.

Case Last Updated:

Jan 28, 2025