By admin 
Editor’s note: A celebration of Todd Pinion’s life will be held Saturday at Ancient Peaks Barn in Santa Margarita from noon to 5 p.m. More details can be found on the Celebration of Life’s Facebook page.
It’s been almost a week since the body of slain Atascadero man Todd Pinion was found in a remote area near Santa Margarita.
Pinion’s mother, Melody, finally speaks out after her son’s death.
“I want to thank the community,” she said. “I would like to thank the authorities. Without them I wouldn’t know what happened. And I wouldn’t bring my son home.”
Melody learned on October 28 that her son was missing. Two days later, she was on a plane headed to California from Louisiana with her daughter, Pinion’s younger sister.
Less than 24 hours after arriving in her home state, Atascadero police found his body.
They said he had been murdered and had been dead for eleven days.
“The malice behind this, I don’t understand the evil in the world,” Melody said. “Why? Why would anyone want to take such a beautiful soul?”
Atascadero police began investigating the suspicious nature of Pinion’s disappearance after his dog, Spock, was found dead near the top of Cuesta Grade.
A few days later, her son’s body was found nearby.
“They are still working as diligently and as many hours as possible on this case,” Pinion said. “I mean, they’ve moved away from their family, but they’re still doing everything they can in this every hour they can.”
Pinion, a 34-year-old from Atascadero, loved the Earth and wanted to bring everyone together in unity, according to his friends and family. He felt it was his job to heal the evil in the world.
In his honor, Melody celebrates her son’s life “Todd style” with a rock painting station, a tie-dye station and everything that represents who he was as a person. The celebration will be held Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Ancient Peaks Barn, formerly known as Oyster Ridge, in Santa Margarita.
The family requests colors worn during the celebration and anything Pinion gave you or made for you. Sound healing by Jamie Nicole will be offered at 3:30 PM in honor of Todd and his love of sound baths. More details can be found on the Celebration of Life’s Facebook page.
“I want to hear from everyone,” Melody smiled.