LOS ANGELES – William Lester Suff is a serial killer who was previously convicted of murdering 12 women. Now he has confessed to the cold case homicide of a 19-year-old woman in California in 1986, authorities confirmed.
In February 1986, 19-year-old Cathy Small was found stabbed to death on a street in South Pasadena. Sadly, the murder remained unsolved for nearly four decades, the New York Post reported.
Suff was known as the “Lake Elsinore Killer” and the “Riverside Prostitute Killer.” His DNA was discovered on Small’s clothing and he admitted in 2022 to killing her.
“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 during a Tuesday press conference.
During Suff’s confession, he said Small “enraged” him by knocking his glasses off his face during a fight, Lt. Patricia Thomas said as officials briefed reporters.
William Lester Suff, known as the “Lake Elsinore Killer” and the “Riverside Prostitute Killer” admitted in 2022 to murdering Cathy Small after his DNA was found on her clothing. (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Suff reportedly met the young woman while working at a computer repair shop. While giving her a ride, he stabbed her repeatedly in the passenger seat of his car, before discarding her body and driving away, Thomas said.
Suff is presently incarcerated at San Quentin in California. Thomas noted the death row inmate also admitted to other unsolved cold case murders in Riverside County. However, the lieutenant didn’t identify the victims.
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. (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.
“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.”
