UPDATE: The trial of Gregory Grant Hobson, 64, intensifies as shocking details emerge regarding the alleged murder of his wife, Anu Anand Hobson, 53, on February 14, 2023. In a gripping session on Monday at the Solano County Superior Court, investigators recounted the chilling events leading to Hobson’s arrest.
Testimony revealed that the investigation accelerated on February 16 when Detective Keli Callison received a license plate alert linked to Anu’s disappearance. The vehicle, a silver Toyota Tacoma, was identified as belonging to Hobson and tracked to the area near Highway 12 and Walters Road. Callison detained Hobson at the intersection of Walters Road and East Tabor Boulevard, where he complied with police orders.
Detective Dennis Chapman, the second witness, sought a search warrant for Hobson’s vehicle and home on Americano Way. On February 22, a breakthrough occurred when the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office reported finding a black plastic tote containing blood near Interstate 5 and Kamm Avenue, approximately 190 miles south of Fairfield. A subsequent search led to the discovery of a charred body, later confirmed to be Anu.
The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Bruce Flynn, presented video evidence showing Hobson purchasing a hydraulic lift at a Harbor Freight store on February 14. This lift is believed to have been used to transport Anu’s body. During the testimony, Flynn displayed the very hydraulic lift, capturing the jury’s attention as it was moved close to the jury box.
In a harrowing moment, the courtroom watched bodycam footage depicting Hobson’s emotional state upon his arrest, where he was seen crying out in distress while being placed in a patrol car. The emotional weight of the trial deepened as it was disclosed that Hobson’s children, Sean and Sara Hobson, have been interviewed about their parents’ tumultuous relationship. Sean expressed disbelief that his father could commit such violence.
Another pivotal witness, crime scene investigator Amy Tudi-Akaka, detailed collecting critical evidence, including DNA swabs and photographs from the Hobson home. Inside the residence, investigators found an envelope containing $4,800 in cash and a receipt for the hydraulic lift.
The prosecution’s case relies heavily on circumstantial evidence, including video footage from the Hobson home. Key timestamps reveal Anu approaching the front door on February 13, and Hobson driving his pickup truck on the day of Anu’s disappearance. A concerning video shows a human hand adjusting a camera shortly after Anu was last seen.
Flynn revealed that Hobson harbored suspicions about Anu, alleging she was trying to poison him and might have been involved in an extramarital affair. A forensic analysis confirmed that the charred remains found in Fresno County belonged to Anu, although the autopsy could not determine a definitive cause of death.
As the trial unfolds, it is scheduled to continue on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in Department 25 of the Justice Center in Fairfield. If convicted, Hobson faces a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in state prison.
With the trial expected to last several more weeks, the community and family await justice as harrowing details of this case continue to emerge. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
