The Confession of William Suff in the Murder of Cathy Small
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Patricia Thomas revealed shocking news on Tuesday regarding a cold case from 1986. The body of a 19-year-old woman, Cathy Small, was found on a South Pasadena street, and it has now been linked to convicted serial killer William Suff.
The Admission of Guilt
In a surprising turn of events, William Suff admitted to killing Cathy Small, a mother of two from Lake Elsinore, in 1986. This confession came in 2022 and shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding Small’s death.
Authorities praised the collaboration between different agencies, the unwavering dedication of investigators, and the advancements in DNA testing that led to the resolution of this case. The announcement of Suff’s involvement in Small’s murder raises questions about why the revelation took place decades after the crime.
The Harrowing Events of that Fateful Night
Details of the tragic events on the night of Small’s murder have finally come to light. Suff shared with detectives that he picked up Small at his Lake Elsinore residence on February 21, 1986. A heated argument ensued when they arrived at the 800 block of Bank Street in South Pasadena, leading to a violent confrontation.
During the altercation, Suff, enraged after Small knocked his glasses off, reached for a knife in the car and repeatedly stabbed Small in the chest. He callously pushed her out of the vehicle onto the street and then callously drove away, leaving her lifeless body behind.
The Long Road to Justice
Small’s body was discovered the following morning by South Pasadena police after a concerned citizen reported a woman lying in the street. She was found in pajamas, without any identification. The medical examiner determined that she had succumbed to multiple stab wounds and strangulation.
It wasn’t until Small’s roommate saw a newspaper report about a woman found dead in South Pasadena that her identity was confirmed. However, the identity of her killer remained unknown for three long decades, until relentless investigators finally connected the dots to Suff.
This revelation serves as a reminder of the importance of relentless pursuit of justice, even in cases that have grown cold with time. The closure brought to Small’s loved ones after all these years stands as a testament to the perseverance of law enforcement and the power of cooperation between agencies.
This story is still developing, and further updates may follow.
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