A serial killer convicted of murdering 12 women has confessed to the unsolved 1986 murder of a 19-year-old Southern California mother.
19-year-old Kathy Small was found stabbed to death on a South Pasadena street in February 1986, but her case remained unsolved for nearly 40 years.
“We believe we are providing long-overdue justice and closure to the victims and their families,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference this week.
William Lester Suff, known as the “Lake Elsinore Killer” and the “Riverside Prostitute Killer,” admitted to the killing in 2022 after Suff’s DNA was found on Small’s clothing, saying Small became “enraged” when he knocked her glasses off during a fight, Detective Patricia Thomas said during a briefing Tuesday.
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A serial killer convicted of murdering 12 women has confessed to the unsolved 1986 murder of a 19-year-old mother in Southern California. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Saff told investigators that Small first met Saff at the computer repair shop where he worked and agreed to drive with him from Lake Elsinore in South Pasadena for $50.
Thomas said the man admitted to stabbing the woman multiple times in the passenger seat of his car, then dumping her body on the sidewalk and fleeing in his car.
Saff, who is on death row at San Quentin Prison in California, also admitted to other unsolved murders in Riverside County but did not disclose the identities of the victims, Thomas said.
Investigators realised that DNA collected during the incident had not been tested and when it was tested, Sahu’s DNA was found on her clothing.
Saff began his murders in the 1970s and was convicted of murdering his two-month-old daughter in Texas in 1974. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison, but was paroled in 1984 and returned to California.
Kathy Small, 19, was the mother of two young children at the time of her murder. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Luna said Szaf’s confession highlights “the power of modern forensic science, the incredible tireless work of Los Angeles Homicide detectives — I continue to say their work is the best in the country — and the cooperation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies.”
Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a Texas serial killer suspect after DNA testing linked him to two of the murders.
“Among everything else we’re talking about today, when we’re talking about something as momentous as this, we must always remember that we’re talking about victims who lost their lives and families who will never forget that. I know we will never forget that. That’s what makes the teamwork here so great.”
Thomas also read a letter written by Small’s sister, who was 10 years old at the time of the murder, but was unable to attend the press conference because she lives out of state.
“My sister, Kathy Small, was not a statistic,” she wrote. “She was a protective sister, a loving mother and a good daughter. Kathy was funny, smart and caring. She had a big heart and would do anything for anyone.”
William Lester Suff was a serial killer sentenced to death 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 over at my sister’s house, she would take me to church,” she continued. “Kathy was gifted, but her life was cut short before she could begin to achieve her dreams.”
She added that Ms Small, who was working as a prostitute at the time of the killing, had been trying to get sober and had stopped using drugs but “her life was over before she could take another step forward”.
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She added, “I will be forever grateful to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for ensuring that my sister, Kathy Small’s memory lives on, even though she was senselessly murdered more than 35 years ago in February of 1986. The man who killed my sister also destroyed me, my family and other people’s families. … I will always miss my sister Kathy.”
“There’s no bringing her back to life. Bill Suff is where he belongs and can’t hurt anyone again. Thank you for remembering my sister Kathy.”
