Breakthrough in Cold Case Murder

Investigators announced a significant development in the cold case of Cathy Small, a 19-year-old who was murdered in 1986, linking her death to convicted serial killer William Suff. Small's body was found on February 22, 1986, in South Pasadena, showing signs of multiple stab wounds. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lieutenant Patricia Thomas revealed that Small was initially unidentified until a Lake Elsinore resident recognized her from a newspaper article and reported that she had left home that night with a man named Bill, who promised her money for a ride to Los Angeles. The investigation took a turn when detectives discovered that the murder site was located directly across from the resident's home. They obtained a search warrant and found that crucial evidence, including a sexual assault kit and Small's clothing, had never been tested for DNA. This oversight raised questions about the handling of the case, which had remained unsolved for decades. William Suff, known as the Riverside Prostitute Killer, was already serving a lengthy prison sentence for multiple murders, including the killing of his own daughter in Texas. Following the new developments, investigators transported Suff from San Quentin Prison to Los Angeles for interrogation, hoping to extract more information about Small's murder. At the press conference, Supervisor Kathryn Barger emphasized the impact of Small's death on her family, noting that she was a mother of two young children. The renewed focus on this case highlights the ongoing efforts to seek justice for victims and their families.