West
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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MURRAY, Utah — People with ties to Venezuela gathered in Murray on Sunday, sharing stories from families who lost loved ones and from those whose relatives are on the ground delivering resources to communities impacted by the disaster.
On June 24, Venezuela experienced two major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, which have killed thousands of people since then.
The gathering was hosted by an organization called Alianza Venezolana Utah.
People in the community sang and shared moments of silence for parents, cousins and siblings in Venezuela at Murray Park. One of those people was South Jordan resident Ludmila Ruiz.
Ruiz said her younger brother met up with friends at his home in La Guaira to watch the World Cup when tragedy struck. She shared videos of his building where he lived, now destroyed.
She said they still have not found his body.
“When I feel sad, I think of my brother and that he would want me to help others right now,” Ruiz said. “My brother was a special man.”
Eighteen-year-old Leander Guevara said he was on a routine call with his mom back home that day.
“Randomly, everything starts shaking and the signal goes off and all I hear is screaming,” Guevara explained.
He said their home in Caracas is safe. He says his mom runs a church in Venezuela and that she and others are handing out food and clothes to people who need it.
“They made arepas, they’re offering clothes, they actually used the church as a sleeping shelter,” Guevara said.
Still, he says rebuilding will take time.
“It’s actually pretty hard right now to rebuild everything in Venezuela,” he said. “It’s going to stay like this a long while. This is not just right now — next months, this is going to be hard. This is only the beginning.”
Ruiz said that while her brother is gone, he would have wanted her to carry his spirit forward by helping their loved ones back home.
“We know our community needs food, medicine,” she said. “I’ll use that energy, that emotion, and work for my community.”
Storm Team4 is tracking severe thunderstorms, flood watches and flash flood warnings. See all weather alerts here.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Strong storms and downpours taper off as a cooler pattern settles into the DMV
- Temperatures fall back below normal for early July with highs mainly in the 80s
- Periods of clouds and scattered showers/storms remain possible through midweek
- Humidity stays up there, but the dangerous heat is taking a break (thank goodness)
After a heat wave and some strong thunderstorms, the weather pattern across Washington and the DMV turns noticeably less hot this week.
A frontal boundary settling south of the region will bring cooler temperatures, more clouds, and periodic chances for showers through midweek. While it won’t be a washout, keep the umbrella nearby as unsettled conditions linger. Temperatures remain much more comfortable compared to the recent heat wave.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
MONDAY
Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and storms possible
A few pockets of heavier rain cannot be ruled out
Humid, but significantly cooler. Heat Index and low 90s
Wind: East to northeast 5–10 mph
Chance of rain: 50%
Highs: 85° to 89°
MONDAY NIGHT
Mostly cloudy with a few lingering showers
Mild and humid
Wind: Light
Lows: 71°–74°
TUESDAY
Mostly cloudy and cooler
Showers still possible
Less intense humidity compared to previous days
Highs: 82°–86°
WEDNESDAY
Mostly cloudy with a few breaks of sun; highs in the lower 80s
A few showers possible
THURSDAY
Warmer and more humid as sunshine returns
Scattered afternoon storms possible
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
CASA of Wyoming Valley will celebrate the ribbon cutting of its new location at noon Thursday at 57 N. Franklin St., Kirby Health Center Annex II, Wilkes-Barre. Community members, partners, and supporters are invited to join in commemorating this important milestone for the organization. An open house will follow the ribbon cutting until 2 p.m.
The event will mark CASA of Wyoming Valley’s transition into a new space designed to better support its growing programs and services. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the new location, meet staff, and learn more about the organization’s ongoing work advocating for children in foster care.
CASA of Wyoming Valley serves Luzerne and Wyoming counties by recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer advocates who speak up for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Through its work, the organization strives to ensure every child has a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
“You never forget your first home. The Friedman group have been wonderful partners and their building was home for our programs first 13 and a half years,” said Ryan Schofield, executive director of CASA of Wyoming Valley. “Growth requires change, and our new home at The Kirby Health Center meets the needs of our growing program. Our team is excited to start this new chapter.”
For information, visit luzernecasa.org or follow CASA of Wyoming Valley on social media.
About CASA of Wyoming Valley
CASA of Wyoming Valley is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for children in the foster care system in Luzerne County. Through trained community volunteers, CASA ensures that each child’s voice is heard and their best interests are represented in court and beyond.
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