Theres an answer and it has to be found. She walked out to her car with a female co-worker, said see you in the morning, and drove out of the lot, heading south on Bradford Avenue. After 13 years, police arrest four suspects in the murder of Cathy Torrez. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. I skipped Eps 12 & 13 entirely. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? 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. . In fact, family and friends have said, the 4-foot, 10-inch woman hated to be alone almost anywhere--during trips to the store or even at home. There were no fingerprints, no witnesses. Inside, we are not strong, Bennett said. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. According to the states Department of Corrections inmate records, he will become eligible for parole in March 2023. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, One of the witnesses makes an incredible revelation. They said she was confused and uncertain about what to do, indicating that she loved Lopez, but didnt want to run away to get married. So, lets find out where he is now, shall we? Lopezs attorney, Lewis Rosenblum, claims that only Xavier Lopez is to blame for Torrezs death. Buelna distributed flyers in the La Jolla and Atwood neighborhoods, asking residents to pass all leads, even rumors, along to police. All that stands between Amil Dinsios crew and the Presidents secret stash are an alarm system, reinforced concrete and 500 locked safe deposit boxes. Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. For more than 20 years, her mother fought for justice. Rosenblum at the start of his closing statements claimed that much of the prosecutions case was built on speculation and opinions. Campside Media / Sony Music Entertainment, Suspicion | The Billionaire Murders: The hunt for the killers of Honey and Barry Sherman. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. But her deafness isn't the most important part of her story. panties. One of the stars of the movie based on the heist, Rachael Taylor, chokes up about the real story. 10.31.2019 S2, Ep. In the months before she died, At this point, not only do we not have a lot of information ourselves yet, what information we do have we are not willing to release, Taylor said. 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. That young woman was alive, she was suffering and she was scared, Murphy said. she couldn't believe that someone would do something like that. Fullerton honor student Cathy Torrez didn't come home after working Albert Rangels mother and grandmother said in interviews that Torrez had visited Rangel at UCI Medical Center in Orange every night since he was found hanging by the neck in a warehouse where he worked. Police believe Sam Lopez is lying about his movements on the night Cathy disappeared. After Cathy Torrez was murdered in 1994, Girl Scouts planted a tree to honor her. Today, at the age of 49, Sam is incarcerated at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, Monterey County, California. Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Breaking news for Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. But I dont believe that was the case. Season 2, Mom vs. Murderer, has a launch date. 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. Police believe Sam Lopez is lying about his movements on the night Cathy disappeared. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Cathy Torrez and Samuel "Sam" Agustin Lopez, who had dated for about eight months in high school, had rekindled their romance in the weeks leading up to the former's brutal murder in early 1994. 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. Investigators refused to say how Torrez died or whether they had any suspects. 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. Mary Bennett gets a job in the Placentia City Hall so she can be close to the office door of the Chief of Police. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Just the way it happened, we cant understand that. An autopsy is scheduled for today, according to the Orange County coroners office. Ive listened to 50-75 different true crimepodcasts, and this was one of the best. Josh and Chuck have you covered. Rose Orosco, Rangels maternal grandmother, said that on the first night her grandson was in the hospital, Torrez introduced herself, saying, Im his girlfriend. and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no 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. However, it seems like theyre glad that he is now behind bars. Bonus Episode 1: The Girl Who Wouldn't Be Forgotten. But her deafness isn't the most important part of her story. Torrez spent several days at the hospital, where she sat with the (Rangel) family and she cried with the family, the prosecutor said. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. 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. he lingered in a coma in the hospital. Mary Bennett and Daron Wyatt can't seem to find anyone who cares. 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. Sam Lopez, 43, faced a murder charge in the stabbing death of Cathy Torrez, a Cal State Fullerton student who disappeared in 1994 after leaving work. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. That jealousy led to anger; anger led to violence and ultimately murder, Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy told the jury. Read More: Where is Cathy Torrezs Mother Now? She worked hard. WARNING: This episode includes details from Cathy Torrez's autopsy report that might disturb some listeners. One of the stars of the movie based on the heist, Rachael Taylor, chokes up about the real story. Would justice ever be served? Abonnez-vous notre balado ou coutez-nous en direct sur lapplication iHeart Radio. For more than 20 years, her mother fought for justice. People from her family and the community send out search parties trying to find her. Skip to 9:40 to avoid those details. However, court records indicate that their relationship had been riddled with issues for a while. To Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, that tree only served one purpose. Rebecca Lavoie, host of "Crime Writers On," talks with Crime Beat host, Keith Sharon about podcasting, journalism and some of the best true. Torrez spent several days. How would that individual (the killer) know what was said anyway?. - Listen to S2, Ep. 3: Cathy Can't Remember. 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. Ken Gardner said. 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. Very engaging storybinged it all in 1 night! 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. 5) Three individuals were charged in the Cathy Torrez murder case. Then something changed, Virginia Gov. Yet, before the penalty was handed down, he made a surprise apology and acknowledged his role in his girlfriends murder for the first time. 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. During the hearings, the prosecutors detailed all the above information, along with aspects of Cathys slaying, until an Orange County Superior Court jury found Sam guilty of first-degree murder. About Season 2: he even left a note that seemed to be in his own handwriting. She worked hard for everything she had, said Tracy Comer, a 20-year-old Fullerton sophomore who met Torrez in a Spanish class. albert hanged himself at work, but he didn't die. Was Cathy Torrez pregnant? Rosenblum began his closing statements Wednesday and will continue Thursday. Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. The letters were discovered after Cathy died. . We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. . Murphy signaled he will argue that Lopez had the opportunity to commit the crime while with his cousin, Xavier Javier Lopez, that night. 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. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. And find out what a master thief thinks of the movie about the biggest bank heist in U.S. history. 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. You will hear the entire interview with Sam Lopez from the day Cathy Torrez's body was found. Lopez remained stoic, staring straight ahead during the hearing, as he has for the entire trial. Detective Daron Wyatt takes us on a tour of Placentia to show where and how Cathy's murder took place. The letters were discovered after Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in the trunk of her own car. (File Photo by Michael Goulding . A . Rosenblum said much of the prosecutions evidence is based on hearsay, and told jurors that investigators did not find his clients DNA or prints on the victims car and made mistakes in the case. After 13 years, police arrest four suspects in the murder of Cathy Torrez. Newsom touts states transition to renewable energy in LA facility tour, Last lifts mark end of historic snow season, Southern California resorts ready for summer, Status Update: Dutch Bros. drive-through coffee shop plots first OC locations, Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (April 20-27), More land sliding at Casa Romantica; residents evacuated, trains halted through San Clemente, Orange County Artist of the Year winners announced, Fire at Barnes & Noble in Orange disrupts book-signing event, Then and Now: Photos of Casa Romantica show damage caused by landside, Dementia doubles in Orange County in less than a decade, Cold, drizzly week ahead for Southern California, OC Marine who volunteered in Ukraine, survived rocket attack: I would do it again, Man who killed father on Laguna Niguel trail committed to mental-health hospital, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. 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. Florida History Check. Detective Daron Wyatt takes us on a tour of Placentia to show where and how Cathy's murder took place. Your email address will not be published. The body of 20-year-old honor student Cathy Torrez was found in the trunk of her car. If you can never get enough true crime Congratulations, youve found your people. Jurors watched a video of Lopez from 1994, as the then-22-year-old waited in a police interview room. A friend of Torrez testified that Lopez had gotten angry during a date he had with Torrez a week before she disappeared in February 1994, when he apparently spotted a hickey that Alberto Rangel, another friend of Torrezs, had given her. Once Torrez was in the trunk, Murphy claimed that Sam Lopez cut her wrists and throat. But outside we put ourselves to look like we are strong. A former Placentia officer recalled seeing Lopez speeding down a street and blowing through a stop sign the night he went out with Torrez, and testified that the two appeared to be arguing, and she crying, as he walked up to the car to give them a ticket. Each season explores a different crime, beginning with the biggest bank heist in American history. 10.24.2019 Samuel Lopezs attorney, Lew Rosenblum, said he planned to argue that Javier Lopez was the lone culprit. 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. Although Sam Lopez was the primary suspect in Cathy Torrezs murder case from day one, he wasnt charged or arrested for it until the summer of 2007. A week later, her body was discovered stabbed to death in t We reveal the content of 18 letters between Cathy and Sam. One of the witnesses makes an incredible revelation. 28 minutes | Oct 24, 2019 . A lot of pain. But they can't arrest him because they don't have probable cause. Were waiting for answers. ), Lakers vs. Warriors: What scouts expect in playoff series, Decades of failures leave L.A. County facing up to $3 billion in sex abuse claims, L.A. Affairs: I had my reasons for not dating white men. For more than 20 years, her mother fought for justice. Co-defendant Armando Lopez, Samuel Lopezs older brother, was charged with being an accessory after the fact and is next due in court in May. 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. 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. The last person we You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. One of the stars of the movie based on the heist, Rachael Taylor, chokes up about the real story. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. Crime Beat, Season 2 focuses on Cathy's mother, Mary Bennett, and her extraordinary 21-year quest for justice. she was crying. In the months before she died, Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the relationship than Cathy could give him. Samuel Lopez attacked Cathy Torrez with a knife, and after she attempted to flee from the vehicle, Samuel Lopez chased after her and stabbed Torrez repeatedly in the face, head and torso. Theres just a lot of emotion. The Placentia resident was an honor sociology student at Cal State Fullerton and had dreams of becoming a social worker one day. It took the 12-member panel a little more than two days to come to this verdict. Master thief Amil Dinsio loses his edge late in his career and his freedom. Just finished Season Two. Believing that he hadnt been truthful with them during initial interviews, investigators were suspicious of Lopez from the start. Each season explores a different crime, beginning . After Cathy Torrez was murdered in 1994, Girl Scouts planted a tree to honor her. Witnesses offer conflicting accounts, Mars Voltas lead singer broke with Scientology and reunited with the band. >> she was so upset. They are waiting for the results of some soil tests conducted by a Unocal chemist who volunteered his services, examining the sole of the one shoe Torrez had left when her body was found six months ago today, hoping it will reveal chemical traces that will point to a murder scene. Cathy doesn't come home after working a shift at Sav-On. Moreover, the perpetrator, her ex-boyfriend, Samuel Sam Lopez, didnt confess to the crime until 2015. He has noted that no physical evidence ties Sam Lopez to the car or Torrezs body and speculates that Xavier Lopez may have been trying to rob Torrez. Rangel, who suffered from suicidal ideation, hanged himself at work five days before Torrezs murder and lingered in a coma for months before he died, Murphy said. Outside the store, a lone flyer bearing Torrezs smiling, friendly face lay in a shopping cart. About 10 minutes earlier, Torrez had called her mother from the store--located about a mile from her home--and indicated she would be home shortly, police and family have said. Stabbed dozens of times, bleeding profusely and terrified, Cathy Torrez was still alive when she was shoved into the trunk of her own car, a prosecutor said Wednesday as he outlined a brutal slaying that was as cold blooded as you can possibly get.. The first time, they were drinking a carbonated drink that contained about as much alcohol as a beer, Murphy said. About Season 2: On Feb. 12, 1994, Cal State . The prosecutor said the only contribution Lopez made to the search was posting a flier. Javier Lopez was friendly with the victim, but did not socialize with her much, the prosecutor said. 5200 SW 8 St. Suite 204-B Coral Gables, Fl 33134 Off (305) 443-9148 Cell (305) 218-4392. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Even if youre standing there in the middle of a murder scene, now you know where it happened, but you still arent any closer to who did it.. Xavier Lopez gave a final statement that proved truth still wasn't part of his defense strategy. I will not stop until I find my daughters killer. Sam Lopez is accused of murdering his former girlfriend, Cathy Torrez. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. 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 Sharons fresh interviews of criminal masterminds, some of their victims and the detectives trying to piece together what really happened. She had been stabbed about 70 times. Cathy was dating Albert Rangel, who wanted more from the He has offered to act as a go-between for anyone who wants to come forward with information on the killing. 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! Everywhere he goes, he is surrounded by cops. This was a horrible act that never should have happened. The judge, though, still gave Sam 26 years to life in prison. A week later, her body was discovered in the trunk of her car. Sam Lopez takes Cathy on a date, and she comes home drugged with slashed tires and no panties. And find out what a master thief thinks of the movie about the biggest bank heist in U.S. history. Witnesses offer conflicting accounts, Mars Voltas lead singer broke with Scientology and reunited with the band. No one is investigating. Weve got to keep it going. 4: What Happened to Albert by Crime Beat instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - no downloads needed. We reveal the content of 18 letters between Cathy and Sam. letters between Cathy and Sam. For the first couple of nights she was crying very badly, Orosco said. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? The Dateline Saturday Night Mystery episode 'The Promise' investigates the 1994 disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Rosenblum said the victim was having issues with drugs around the time of the killing. 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. Our regular podcast, "Crime Beat," Season One: "Stealing Nixon's Millions" will continue as scheduled with Episode 5. Was Cathy Torrez pregnant? Rebecca Lavoie, host of "Crime Writers On," talks with Crime Beat host, Keith Sharon about podcasting, journalism and some of the best true.