The prosecutor suggested Torrez had been drugged because there was little evidence she had downed less than two bottles of the wine cooler-like drink. There were no fingerprints, no witnesses. Torrez would arrive home a short time later with slashed tires, seemingly intoxicated, with neither she nor Lopez able to explain the damage. Medical facilities and colleges often need to have several AHCA background screenings performed at one time. The Cathy Torrez murder investigation is dead. Theres an answer and it has to be found. In this special episode of Crime Beat, you will meet Janine Madera, a fierce advocate for justice who works as a homicide prosecutor in the Orange County District Attorney's Office. In this special episode of Crime Beat, you will meet Janine Madera, a fierce advocate for justice who works as a homicide prosecutor in the Orange County District Attorney's Office. We reveal the content of 18 letters between Cathy and Sam. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. Glenn Youngkin rules out presidential campaign while in California, Three killed in small plane crash near Big Bear airport, authorities say, 2 students stabbed near Los Angeles High; LAPD investigating, Bass budget proposal for Animal Services is far less than what department requested, Salmonella outbreak linked to Gold Medal flour reaches California. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. A Placentia man in a jealous rage repeatedly stabbed his on-again, off-again girlfriend after she nixed his proposal to elope and left her body in the trunk of her car 21 years ago, a prosecutor told jurors Tuesday, while the defendants attorney claimed his clients cousin was the killer. More than two decades after Torrez went missing, only to have her body discovered in the trunk of her car a week later, closing arguments began Wednesday in the trial of Sam Lopez, Torrezs neighbor and high-school sweetheart who authorities believe killed her out of jealousy. SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The brother of a man convicted in the 1994 stabbing death of a Cal State Fullerton. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. But outside we put ourselves to look like we are strong. Glenn Youngkin rules out presidential campaign while in California, Three killed in small plane crash near Big Bear airport, authorities say, 2 students stabbed near Los Angeles High; LAPD investigating, Bass budget proposal for Animal Services is far less than what department requested, Salmonella outbreak linked to Gold Medal flour reaches California. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. ABW Law Offices 2815 W New Haven Avenue, 304 Melbourne, Florida, 32904 321-953-5998. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. It just seems to be a tragic coincidence that these terrible things have happened to these two kids who knew each other, Taylor said. The victims mother also noticed after her daughter passed out in the bathroom that she was missing her underwear, Murphy said. I believe somebody in our community has some vital information, Bennett said. A . But one of them got another idea. To me, in my heart, I believe Cathy died that Saturday night, Bennett said. For more than 20 years, her mother fought for justice. Then something changed, Virginia Gov. Each season explores a different crime, beginning with the biggest bank heist in American history. . There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Her body was found a week later in the trunk of her car in the parking lot of Placentia-Linda Hospital. Master thief Amil Dinsio loses his edge late in his career and his freedom. Police finally find a fingerprint and some DNA evidence, but neither belongs to Sam Lopez. Orosco, Rangels grandmother, said Torrez was at the hospital the night before she disappeared. Was Cathy Torrez pregnant? In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. Subsequently, in May of 2015, Sam was sentenced for the same. Cathy Torrez was still alive when she was forced into the trunk of her car, where her body was found a week later. But they can't arrest him because they don't have probable cause. That jealousy led to anger; anger led to violence and ultimately murder, Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy told the jury. Xavier Lopez gave a final statement that proved truth still wasn't part of his defense strategy. A key issue in the trial will be Lopezs alibi and movements on the day of the killing. Would justice ever be served? Everywhere he goes, he is surrounded by cops. It was all my fault. Just a day earlier, on Friday, Torrezs 19-year-old brother, Martin, stood in front of the store passing out the flyers as he had done every day since her disappearance. The "Crime Beat" team offers insight into Season 2 at a Coast Conversation event, and we wrap the season with updates on what is going on with key people you met along the way. Unaware that police already had found Torrezs body, her friends passed out dozens of flyers Saturday morning at a Chicano Youth and Community Conference held at Cal State Fullerton. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Inspiring, the youth in the story; intelligent driven, hard-working, loving, loyal and respectful. Torrez was stabbed dozens of times and her throat was slashed, Murphy said. But due to a lack of physical evidence, no arrests were made in connection to her matter until 2007. The case is being treated as a homicide investigation.. Our regular podcast, "Crime Beat," Season One: "Stealing Nixon's Millions" will continue as scheduled with Episode 5. Miranda swapped many of the hearts for donations at the Placentia Street Fair earlier this month, raising $902. The Crime Beat podcast digs deep into fascinating true crime stories, exploring new twists along the way with award-winning Southern California News Group reporter Keith Sharon's fresh interviews of criminal masterminds, some of their victims and the detectives trying to piece together what really happened. WARNING: This episode includes details from Cathy Torrez's autopsy report that might disturb some listeners. Master thief Amil Dinsio loses his edge late in his career and his freedom. I had a very hard time listening to all the recorded interviews. To Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, that tree only served one purpose. relationship than Cathy could give him. Well send you the latest headlines every morning and every weekday afternoon. No one is investigating. The Crime Beat podcast digs deep into fascinating true crime stories, exploring new twists along the way with award-winning Southern California News Group reporter Keith Sharon's fresh interviews of criminal masterminds, some of their victims and the detectives trying to piece together what really happened. Was Cathy Torrez pregnant? Sign up here for our free newsletters. The Crime Beat podcast digs deep into fascinating true crime stories, exploring new twists along the way with award-winning Southern California News Group reporter Keith Sharon's fresh interviews of criminal masterminds, some of their victims and the detectives trying to piece together what really happened. The story appears in 2003, and producers from film companies begin to call. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. >> she was so upset. All that stands between Amil Dinsios crew and the Presidents secret stash are an alarm system, reinforced concrete and 500 locked safe deposit boxes. A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in the trunk of her own car. Published 09/18/19 8: Opening and Closing Maurice Isaiah Torres died March 30, 2015, at a Bella Vista hospital. Read More: Where is Cathy Torrezs Mother Now? It took 21 years for Mary's wish to come true: The man who lived across the street was convicted of Cathy's murder. Then, due to the lengthy legal processes, it was only in early 2015 that he stood trial for the same. The Cathy Torrez murder investigation is dead. Bonus episode: True Crime discussion with Rebecca Lavoie. meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. In this season, we will take you behind the scenes of the investigation, playing old interviews from cassette tapes taken from the 1994 police archives, conducting new interviews with people involved in the case and reporting new stories that have never been published. Janine Madera was raped as a child, and she decided as a pre-teen that she was going to someday work to put criminals behind bars. 3: Cathy Can't Remember . In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. On Feb. 19, 2019, police made an arrest in the cold-case killing of 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe, who was strangled in Orange County in 1973. WARNING: This episode includes details from Cathy Torrez's autopsy report that might disturb some listeners. Cathy died. Xavier Lopez gave a final statement that proved truth still wasn't part of his defense strategy. We reveal the content of 18 letters between Cathy and Sam. A letter to Rangel was abruptly interrupted with the writer apparently beginning to write the word, Valentine, Murphy said. Each season explores a different crime, beginning . In the weeks preceding her death, Torrez was dating another neighborhood friend with whom she grew up, Albert Rangel, and Lopez was seeing a 17-year- old girl named Perla Diaz, Murphy said. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Even this morning when I heard it on the news, I was hoping it wasnt her.. But her deafness isn't the most important part of her story. A former getaway driver and the writer who captured his story have a big week. He has also criticized police missteps during the initial investigation, which included not photographing some evidence at the scene and not comparing Xavier Lopezs prints or DNA to evidence found on the car until three years after the killing. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. Ken Gardner said. Samuel Agustin Lopez, 43, is accused of fatally stabbing 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton student Cathy Torrez on Feb. 12, 1994. People from her family and the community send out search parties trying to find her. And its not fair.. They are old and really hard to hear. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Was Cathy Torrez pregnant? At 20-years-old, Cathy Torrez was described by her friends and family as a smart, beautiful, and responsible young lady. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. You expect the worst, but you hope, said Albert Gonzales, a friend acting as a spokesman for family members, who remained inside their home and declined comment when reached by telephone Saturday. Cathy Torrez, a 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton student, was murdered in 1994. Garden Grove Woman Pleads Guilty to Managing Illegal Casinos, Police Arrest 24 During DUI Checkpoint in Riverside, Coroner IDs Man Who Jumped or Fell From Freeway Overpass, One Person Killed in Fiery Hacienda Heights Crash, Man Dies In Long Beach; Investigation Underway, Suspected DUI Driver Causes Three-Vehicle Crash on Interstate 215 in Murrieta, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. DAmato said there are conflicting reports about how long the car was in the hospital parking lot. Our regular podcast, "Crime Beat," Season One: "Stealing Nixon's Millions" will continue as scheduled with Episode 5. A day before their date, Torrez had gone out with Rangel, who had given her a hickey, Murphy said. And Crime Beat becomes the podcast the Nixon people dont want you to hear. The Crime Beat podcast digs deep into fascinating true crime stories, exploring new twists along the way with award-winning Southern California News Group reporter Keith Sharon's fresh interviews of criminal masterminds, some of their victims and the detectives trying to piece together what really happened. The last person we Police finally find a fingerprint and some DNA evidence, but neither belongs to Sam Lopez. His battles with the church arent over, How Palm Springs ran out Black and Latino families to build a fantasy for rich, white people, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? PLACENTIA Cal State Fullerton honor student Cathy Torrez, whose baffling disappearance a week ago prompted her family to launch a communitywide search, was found dead in her car early. About Season 2: On Feb. 12, 1994, Cal State Fullerton honor student Cathy Torrez didn't come home after working the evening shift in the photo department at Sav-On. News of Torrezs death shocked residents of the close-knit neighborhood off Chapman Avenue where Torrez lived with her mother and stepfather, Mary and Ron Bennet, her brother and one of her two sisters. One of the witnesses makes an incredible revelation. Mayor Norman Z. Eckenrode said that he plans to suggest at the next City Council meeting, scheduled for March 1, that the city offer a reward for information leading to the capture of the person responsible for Torrezs death. Master thief Amil Dinsio loses his edge late in his career and his freedom. Torrez called her mother Feb. 12 from the Sav-On drug store where she worked, giving no indication that anything was amiss. There is no magic in what we do.. tree to honor her. Police believe Sam Lopez is lying about his movements on the night Cathy disappeared. The story appears in 2003, and producers from film companies begin to call. Sam, though, took his girlfriend to an unknown area, where an argument between the two led to murder. The body of 20-year-old honor student Cathy Torrez was found in the trunk of her car. 10.31.2019 S2, Ep. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, Sound effects are wrecking it. Just finished Season Two. But they can't arrest him because they don't have probable cause. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check for a confirmation email, and then you're all set with MyNewsLA.com! What difference does it make? Torrez fought her attacker ferociously and was outside the car, walking in mud, for at least a short time before she was killed, Loomis said. Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. In one incident, which transpired a week before Cathy vanished, he became furious when he saw what appeared to be a love bite from another man on Cathy. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. Just the way it happened, we cant understand that. Concerned family members called police when she didnt come home. It took 21 years for Mary's wish to come true: The man who lived across the street was convicted of Cathy's murder. The prosecutor said the only contribution Lopez made to the search was posting a flier. Investigators refused to say how Torrez died or whether they had any suspects. He alleged that Lopez got into the drivers seat of Torrezs car and drove her to another location, where a struggle broke out in the vehicle. We reveal the content of 18 On the night investigators believe she was killed, Torrez left her job at a Sav-On store in Placentia, telling a co-worker she was going to meet Lopez, Murphy said. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. After 13 years, police arrest four suspects in the murder of Cathy Torrez. Were in a limbo waiting.. week After Cathy Torrez was murdered in 1994, Girl Scouts planted a Rebecca Lavoie, host of "Crime Writers On," talks with Crime Beat host, Keith Sharon about podcasting, journalism and some of the best true. she couldn't believe that someone would do something like that. About Season 2: On Feb. 12, 1994, Cal State Fullerton honor student Cathy Torrez didn't come home after working the evening shift in the photo department at Sav-On. Police believe Sam Lopez is lying about his movements on the night Cathy disappeared. She left work around 8 p.m., drove out of the parking lot and . Sam was allegedly a bit possessive over his girlfriend and suffered from fits of jealously. Mary Bennett gets a job in the Placentia City Hall so she can be close to the office door of the Chief of Police. A co-worker of Torrez, as well as her best friend, claimed that she planned to meet Lopez after work that Saturday. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Why is there no Walnut Street on Google Maps in Placentia CA? The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. Each season explores a different crime, beginning with the biggest bank heist in American history. Taylor said patrol officers discovered Torrezs car sometime before 1:30 a.m. Saturday in a parking lot in front of medical offices at the Placentia-Linda Community Hospital medical complex, located in the 1300 block of North Rose Drive. Minimum and not annoying ads! A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in the trunk of her own car. Read More. Tragic story Cathy had an incredible mom & family! In this season, we will take you behind the scenes of the investigation, playing old interviews from cassette tapes taken from the 1994 police archives, conducting new interviews with people involved in the case and reporting new stories that have never been published. Torrez spent several days. Track your ranks and reviews from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more. Weve got to keep it going. A lot of pain. Furthermore, records claim that Sam had suggested that the two elope and get married just days before, but Cathy was planning on saying no to the proposal as she wanted to have a proper wedding with all her friends and family involved. Skip to 9:40 to avoid those details. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. And Crime Beat becomes the podcast the Nixon people dont want you to hear. Find out the real story behind the biggest bank heist in American history, the burglary at the heart of the new movie Finding Steve McQueen., Southern California News Group: Keith Sharon, reporter for the Orange Count, 26 - S2, Ep. And Crime Beat becomes the podcast the Nixon people dont want you to hear. Police say they have few new leads but are following up on every tip. In this season, we will take you behind the scenes of the investigation, playing old interviews from cassette tapes taken from the 1994 police archives, conducting new interviews with people involved in the case and reporting new stories that have never been published. Jurors watched a video of Lopez from 1994, as the then-22-year-old waited in a police interview room. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Rosenblum began his closing statements Wednesday and will continue Thursday. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Mass shooting leaves 3 women and 1 man dead in the Mojave Desert as detectives search for answers, Copenhagen mayor to Californias Danish Capital: Stop acting homophobic, Ryan Fellows is killed in a car crash while filming Street Outlaws. The family said Torrez told them that the night before Rangel allegedly hanged himself, leaving behind a suicide note, he spoke on the telephone with Torrez for three hours, until 3 a.m. Placentia Police Sgt. Lopezs interviews with police in which his story kept changing when presented with new evidence also will be part of the prosecutions legal theory, Murphy said. Are you kidding me?. This particular story is new, not redone by every podcaster out there. I will not stop until I find my daughters killer. But I find it hard to understand that. A week later, her body was discovered in the trunk of her car. - Listen to S2, Ep. The letters were discovered after Rebecca Lavoie, host of "Crime Writers On," talks with Crime Beat host Keith Sharon about podcasting, journalism and some of the best true crime podcasts of all time. Were a family. Police finally find a fingerprint and some DNA evidence, but neither belongs to Sam Lopez. A A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in t We reveal the content of 18 letters between Cathy and Sam. Crime Beat, Season 2 focuses on Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, and her extraordinary quest for justice. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. 4: What Happened to Albert In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. Skip to 9:40 to avoid those details. After 13 years, police arrest four suspects in the murder of Cathy Torrez. Rosenblum said the victim was having issues with drugs around the time of the killing. Ive listened to 50-75 different true crimepodcasts, and this was one of the best. She had been stabbed about 70 times. Our regular podcast, "Crime Beat," Season One: "Stealing Nixon's Millions" will continue as scheduled with Episode 5. On Feb. 12, 1994, Cal State And for most of that time, the suspected murderer lived across the street. Lopezs attorney, Lewis Rosenblum, claims that only Xavier Lopez is to blame for Torrezs death. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. With more than 70 stab wounds, her nearly mutilated body was discovered a week later, packed in the trunk of her abandoned vehicle in a nearby hospitals parking lot. And find out what a master thief thinks of the movie about the biggest bank heist in U.S. history. I skipped Eps 12 & 13 entirely. Cal State Fullerton honor student Cathy Torrez, whose baffling disappearance a week ago prompted her family to launch a communitywide search, was found dead in her car early Saturday two miles from the shopping center parking lot where she was last seen alive. Some of Torrezs friends from Cal State Fullerton last week brought a Hemet psychic to the area near where her body was found in search of vibrations that might reveal more, but to no avail. You will hear the entire interview with Sam Lopez from the day Cathy Torrez's body was found. The Placentia resident was an honor sociology student at Cal State Fullerton and had dreams of becoming a social worker one day. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Murphy claimed that Xavier and Sam Lopez both lifted Torrez into the trunk of her car. Everywhere he goes, he is surrounded by cops. MyNewsLA.com wont sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. Xavier Lopez gave a final statement that proved truth still wasn't part of his defense strategy. A week later, her body was discovered . With the bank breached, and the FBI scrambling to find clues, the boys from Youngstown tried to slip away and one of them got farther than he ever dreamed. She has tried 72 trials and won 57 convictions without hearing a word of testimony. Inside, we are not strong, Bennett said. You will hear the entire interview with Sam Lopez from the day Cathy Torrez's body was found. Everyone is real distraught.. But they can't arrest him because they don't have probable cause. Rebecca Lavoie, host of "Crime Writers On," talks with Crime Beat host, Keith Sharon about podcasting, journalism and some of the best true. A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in the trunk of her own car. And for most of that time, the suspected murderer lived across the street. That would take finding physical evidence such as Torrezs belongings, a murder weapon or something else that might lead them to the killer, Loomis said. Its affected us not only because of the fact that we realize that she was taken from us, said Torrezs mother, Mary Bennett. In this special episode of Crime Beat, you will meet Janine Madera, a fierce advocate for justice who works as a homicide prosecutor in the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Friends and family had held out hope that Torrez would return safely since her mother reported her missing Feb 12. Police believe Sam Lopez is lying about his movements on the night Cathy disappeared. Cathy did not deserve to go that way. To Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, that tree only served one purpose. Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. Madera is deaf and operates in the courtroom with strategically placed sign language interpreters. The mood was somber at the Sav-On drugstore where Torrez had worked as a part-time cashier for nearly four years. She had dreams and she worked for them all her life. The most promising clue right now is the one, mud-caked shoe Torrez was still wearing when her body was found. A former getaway driver and the writer who captured his story have a big week. Believing that he hadnt been truthful with them during initial interviews, investigators were suspicious of Lopez from the start. About Season 2: Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. A former getaway driver and the writer who captured his story have a big week. However, court records indicate that their relationship had been riddled with issues for a while. S2, Ep. It was senseless.. But he believes fear is keeping the community quiet, he said. Moreover, the perpetrator, her ex-boyfriend, Samuel Sam Lopez, didnt confess to the crime until 2015. . The inside of the car was in disarray and some parts were broken, indicating a violent struggle had taken place. To Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, that tree only Youll hear the ups and downs of writing a screenplay, and how it took more than 15 years for the movie Finding Steve McQueen to get made. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. the evening shift in the photo department at Sav-On. Each season explores a different crime, beginning with the biggest bank heist in American history. and cathy was devastated. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Ultimately, her desires were never realized as she passed away shortly after leaving work on that fateful day to meet with her boyfriend at a local Placentia, California, ice cream shop. Les personnalits les plus attachantes se rassemblent sur une seule frquence, Rouge ! In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. She has tried 72 trials and won 57 convictions without hearing a word of testimony. When Torrez finally got home that evening, two of the tires on her car were slashed and her brother had to carry her into the house because she was so incapacitated, Murphy said. He (Murphy) makes him out to be a sociopath, out to kill someone because of a hickey. The letters were discovered after Cathy died. Your email address will not be published. One of the stars of the movie based on the heist, Rachael Taylor, chokes up about the real story. Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. Despite also dating another woman, Lopez had apparently spoken of marrying Torrez. 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Youll hear the ups and downs of writing a screenplay, and how it took more than 15 years for the movie Finding Steve McQueen to get made. The body of 20-year-old honor student Cathy Torrez was found in the trunk of her car.

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