Convicted Serial Killer Confesses to 1986 Murder in Los Angeles County

William Lester Suff, a 70-year-old serial killer already on death row for a series of murders in Southern California, has confessed to the 1986 murder of 19-year-old Cathy Small. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department revealed this development during a news conference on Tuesday, noting that Suff admitted to the crime in May 2022. Small was found stabbed to death and dumped in a cul-de-sac in South Pasadena, California, on February 22, 1986. The circumstances surrounding the announcement of Suff's confession, which came more than two years after it was made, remain unclear. Lt. Patricia Thomas provided details about the case, stating that Small's body was discovered in the morning, wearing a nightgown, and that she had died from multiple stab wounds and strangulation. Three days after the discovery, a man who had read about the murder in the news identified Small's body, expressing concern that she could be his roommate. He reported that Small had left their residence on the night of February 21, 1986, dressed in the same nightgown she was found in. Suff's confession adds another layer to his already notorious criminal history, as he is serving time for a dozen murders committed during the 1980s and 1990s. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to resolve cold cases and bring closure to victims' families.