West

Serial killer confesses to 1986 murder of teen mom in Southern California

Published

2 years ago

August 20, 2024

Serial killer confesses to 1986 murder of teen mom in Southern California

A serial killer convicted of the murders of 12 women has confessed to the cold case murder of a 19-year-old mother in Southern California in 1986.

Cathy Small, 19, was found stabbed to death on a street in South Pasadena in February 1986, but her case went unsolved for nearly four decades.

“We believe we’re bringing a sense of long overdue justice and closure to the victim and her family,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said in a press conference this week.

William Lester Suff, known as the “Lake Elsinore Killer” and the “Riverside Prostitute Killer” admitted in 2022 to murdering Small after his DNA was found on her clothing, saying she “enraged” him by knocking his glasses off his face during a fight, Lt. Patricia Thomas said during Tuesday’s briefing.

SUSPECT, 78, CHARGED IN 44-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE KIDNAPPING, MURDER OF NURSING STUDENT

A serial killer convicted for the murders of 12 women confessed to the cold-case murder of a 19-year-old mother in Southern California in 1986. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

Suff told investigators Small had first met him at a computer repair shop where he worked and agreed to drive with him from Lake Elsinore in South Pasadena for $50.

After he stabbed her repeatedly in the passenger seat of his car, he admitted to tossing her body on the sidewalk and driving away, Thomas said.

Suff, who is on death row at San Quentin in California, also admitted to other unsolved cold case murders in Riverside County, Thomas said, but didn’t identify the victims.

Investigators realized DNA collected from the crime hadn’t been tested, and, when it was, Suff’s DNA was found on her clothing.

Suff began killing in the 1970s and was convicted in the death of his 2-month-old daughter in Texas in 1974 and sentenced to 70 years, but he was paroled in 1984 and moved back to California.

Cathy Small, 19, was a mother of two young children when she was killed. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

Luna said Suff’s confession underscores “the power of modern forensic science; two, the amazing, relentless work by our Los Angeles homicide bureau detectives, which I keep on saying are the best in the country at what they do; and then the collaboration and partnership between agencies.

AUTHORITIES SEEK PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING SUSPECTED TEXAS SERIAL KILLER AFTER DNA LINKS PERSON TO 2 MURDERS

“Amongst everything else we’re talking about today, you always got to remember when we’re talking about something as significant as this, we’re talking about a victim who lost her life and the family who will never forget that. And I know we never forget that, and that’s what makes the teamwork here so amazing.”

Thomas also read a letter written by Small’s younger sister, who was 10 at the time of her murder but couldn’t be at the news conference because she lives out of state.

“My sister Cathy Small was not a statistic,” she wrote. “She was a protective big sister, a loving mother and a good daughter. Cathy was funny, smart and caring. She had a big heart and would do anything for anyone.”

William Lester Suff is a serial killer on death row for the murders of 12 women. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

Small’s sister said the 19-year-old taught her how to swim, ride a bike and play cards.

“Whenever I stayed with my big sister, she took me to church,” she continued. “Cathy was talented, but her life was cut short before she could even begin to make her own dreams come true.”

She added that Small, who was working as a sex worker at the time of her murder, was trying to get sober and had stopped using drugs, “but before she could take another step forward her life was ended.”

She added that she is “forever indebted” to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department “for making sure the memory of my sister Cathy Small stayed alive despite her senseless murder more than 35 years ago in February of 1986. The man who murdered my sister also destroyed me, my family and the families of others. … I will always miss my sister Cathy.

“Nothing will bring her back. Bill Suff is where he’s supposed to be, and he can no longer hurt anyone. Thank you for remembering my sister Cathy.”

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Montana

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

Published

48 minutes ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

University of Montana president job draws high interest • Daily Montanan

The search for a new University of Montana president has drawn more than 60 applicants, according to a spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

“We do not have an exact count at this time, as several applications are still being completed and additional submissions are expected,” said spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner Galen Hollenbaugh in an email earlier this week.

In January, then-UM-President Seth Bodnar announced his resignation to pursue other public service. Wednesday, the final day of filing, he announced he was running as an independent for the U.S. Senate to try to unseat Republican incumbent Steve Daines.

Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian earlier said that with the advice of AGB Search, a firm that’s helped the Montana University System conduct other executive searches, he would undertake an expedited process to appoint a new president.

Christian has been providing brief updates on a website dedicated to the search. Last week, he said he and AGB Search are reviewing applications, and the pool of candidates was “strong and diverse.”

The commissioner also announced he was convening a small working group to assist in the search, members who “represent a variety of perspectives to assist in vetting and narrowing this field of exceptional candidates.”

In an email this week, Hollenbaugh identified the members of the working group who are assisting Christian with application review as:

Community member and former Regent Joyce Dombrouski
Faculty Senate Chairperson Valerie Moody
Staff Senate President Dominic Beccari
Administration Representative John DeBoer (Vice President of Academic Affairs)
ASUM (Associated Students of the University of Montana) President Buddy Wilson

Hollenbaugh declined to comment on the way the rest of the process would unfold or the role the working group members would play.

Christian earlier said he anticipated an appointment within one to three months, or as soon as early this month.

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Nevada

Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Second annual Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival celebrates Tahoe winter recreation at SnowFest

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – It’s time to “free your heels” and embrace Tahoe’s winter recreation at the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival on March 7. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, or you’re trying to get your feet wet, Saturday’s event is teeming with nature, brews, and camaraderie.

The Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival takes place Saturday, March 7

Provided/SnowFest

Travel North Tahoe Nevada (TNTNV) is teaming up with Nevada Nordic, Tahoe Multisport, Alibi Ale Works, UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center, Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation and other local partners in the wondrous Tahoe Meadows, providing attendees a chance to engage with outdoor recreation experts, check out free cross-country and snowshoe rentals, and more.

“We’re excited to see the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival enter its second year, building on last year’s strong community response. In collaboration with our local partners, this event is thoughtfully curated with residents in mind – offering free equipment for the day, expert instruction, locally crafted brews, and other experiences in a welcoming setting,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “It’s designed to make it easy for residents to get outside, try something new, and bring people together. Events like this reflect the spirit of North Lake Tahoe and what’s possible when our community comes together.”

Along with opportunities to test out free demos and rentals, there will be live music, beer tasting and races.

Tahoe Meadows is known for its gentle trails, and is a popular spot for snowshoeing due to its flat terrain. This event, located near Chickadee Ridge, will offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

This family-friendly event is on the second to last day of the 10-day SnowFest winter festival that’s been taking place in the North Lake Tahoe area. It starts bright and early at 9 a.m. and will close out at 2 p.m.

“Nevada Nordic is thrilled to be a part of SnowFest again this year,” said Meghan Pry, Nevada Nordic Board Member. “We love sharing our passion for cross-country skiing and watching our community grow. We are proud to keep winter recreation accessible by offering free access to our 20km trail network. This is the perfect opportunity for our community to gather together and free our heels!”

For more information about the Nevada Nordic Freeheel Festival or to check out the SnowFest schedule, visit tahoesnowfest.org.

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New Mexico

Retired Wright-Patterson general mentioned in UFO report missing in NM

Published

1 hour ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Retired Wright-Patterson general mentioned in UFO report missing in NM

A retired U.S. Air Force general, Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, has been reported missing in New Mexico.
McCasland formerly commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
His name was mentioned in a 2016 WikiLeaks email release in connection to UFO research.

A retired U.S. Air Force general who once commanded a research division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, has gone missing in New Mexico.

This is what we know.

McCasland commanded Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Silver Alert for Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, who has been missing since last week, Newsweek reports. He was last seen on Feb. 27 in Albuquerque. McCasland is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has white hair and blue eyes, and he has unspecified medical issues, per the sheriff’s office, which is worried about his safety.

McCasland was the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, according to his Air Force biography. He managed a $2.2 billion science and technology program as well as $2.2 billion in additional customer-funded research and development. He joined Wright-Patterson in 2011 and retired in 2013.

He was commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering. He has served in a wide variety of space research, acquisition and operations roles within the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.

McCasland mentioned in WikiLeaks release in connection to UFOs

McCasland was described as a key adviser on UFO-related projects by Tom DeLonge, UFO researcher and guitarist for Blink-182, Newsweek reports. The general’s name appears in the 2016 WikiLeaks email release from John Podesta, then Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager.

In emails to Podesta, DeLonge said he’s been working with McCasland for months and that the general was aware of the materials DeLonge was probing because McCasland has been “in charge of the laboratory at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base where the Roswell wreckage was shipped,” per Newsweek.

However, there is no official record of DeLonge’s claims, and McCasland has neither confirmed nor denied it.

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base home to UFO project

The Dayton Air Force base was home to Project Blue Book in the 1950s and 60s, according to “The Air Force Investigation into UFOs” published by Ohio State University.

During that time, it logged some 12,618 UFO sightings, with 701 of those remaining “unidentified.” The U.S. government created the project because of Cold War-era security concerns and Americans’ obsession with aliens.

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