A 37-year-old cold case involving the murder of a 19-year-old woman has finally been solved, thanks to a chance discovery by investigators in Southern California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that William Suff, a serial killer already on death row, has confessed to the 1986 killing of Cathy Small.
Small, who was working as a prostitute at the time, was last seen leaving her home to meet a man named Bill for a paid ride to Los Angeles. Days later, her roommate identified her body after reading a newspaper article about a woman stabbed to death in South Pasadena.
Read: Without A Trace: 1981 Disappearance Of Mary Opitz From Mall Parking Lot In Florida
The case remained unsolved for decades until a coroner investigator found suspicious items in the home of a man who died near the scene of Small’s murder. While the deceased man was initially considered a suspect, DNA evidence cleared him. However, the discovery prompted investigators to re-examine Small’s case file, leading them to realize crucial evidence had never been DNA-tested.
In 2020, Small’s clothing was finally tested, and the results linked William Suff to the crime. Suff, known as the “Riverside Prostitute Killer,” was already on death row for 12 other murders.
Suff confessed to Small’s murder during a two-day interview with detectives, providing details about the crime and other previous murders. He claimed that an argument with Small escalated, and he stabbed her in a fit of rage.
Read: Without A Trace: 18-Year-Old Colleen Perris Disappeared In Florida, September 2000
Despite the confession, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute Suff due to his age, existing convictions, and pending death sentence. While acknowledging the pain of the victim’s family, the office stated that additional charges wouldn’t change the current circumstances or bring further justice.
This case closure brings a sense of resolution to a decades-old mystery, offering some solace to Small’s loved ones.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.