The murder occurred in February 1986 on the 800 block of Bank Street in South Pasadena.
According to LASD Lt. Patricia Thomas, the family never gave up on Cathy Small, and neither did the Sheriff Homicide Detectives. She was 19 years old and was the mother of two small children.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department press conference spelled out the details of how the LASD Homicide Bureau was able to stay with the case and using DNA evidence, interdepartmental collaboration – including, and especially the South Pasadena Police Department.
Lt. Patricia Thomas presented the details of what happened to the press. South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky was among the presenting panel of officials.
After nearly four decades, justice has been delivered in a brutal 1986 cold case murder that left the South Pasadena community in shock and a family in mourning. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), in collaboration with the South Pasadena Police Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, announced the resolution of the case in a press conference earlier today, revealing the tragic details of the murder of Cathy Small and the apprehension of her killer, William “Bill” Suff.
The Crime
On the morning of February 22, 1986, South Pasadena Police received a call about a woman’s body lying in the middle of Bank Street. When officers arrived, they found the victim, later identified as 19-year-old Cathy Small, wearing a nightgown and suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. With no identification on her person, she was initially listed as “Jane Doe #17.” An autopsy revealed she had been stabbed and strangled, a brutal end to a young life.
The Investigation
The case went cold after years of work by detectives who followed up on numerous leads. However, in October 2019, a significant breakthrough occurred when Detective Louie Aguilera was contacted by coroner investigator Brenda Shafer about a suspicious death in South Pasadena. The deceased, a 63-year-old man living alone, had several disturbing items in his home, including photographs of women who appeared to have been assaulted and a newspaper article (the South Pasadena Review from 1986) about Cathy Small’s murder.
Although the man’s DNA did not match the evidence found on Cathy, this discovery led detectives to reopen the case and reexamine all the evidence, including items that had never been tested for DNA. The forensic analysis, conducted in August 2020, identified DNA from two male donors on Cathy’s clothing—one of whom was William Suff, a convicted serial killer serving a death sentence for the murders of 12 women in Riverside County between 1989 and 1991.
The Confession
William (Bill) Suff, also known as the “Riverside Prostitute Killer,” was interviewed by detectives at San Quentin Prison in May 2022. Over two days and seven hours of interrogation, Suff confessed to the murder of Cathy Small, detailing how he picked her up from her Lake Elsinore residence on February 21, 1986, under the pretense of driving her to Pasadena. According to Suff, they argued during the drive, leading Suff to fatally stab her after she knocked his glasses off. He then pushed her out of the car onto Bank Street, where her body was later discovered.
The Victim
Cathy Small was a young mother of two, remembered by her sister, Deanna Larson, as a “protective big sister, a loving mother, and a good daughter.” In a poignant letter read by LASD Lieutenant Patricia Thomas, Deanna expressed her gratitude to the detectives who persevered for decades to bring her sister’s killer to justice. “Cathy was talented, but her life was cut short before she could even begin to make her own dreams come true,” Deanna wrote. “I will always miss my sister Cathy. Nothing will bring her back. Bill Suff is where he’s supposed to be, and he can no longer hurt anyone.”
The Aftermath
During the press conference, LASD Sheriff Robert Luna praised the collaboration between the various agencies involved in the investigation. “This case underscores the power of modern forensic science, the relentless work of our detectives, and the importance of inter-agency collaboration,” Sheriff Luna stated. South Pasadena Police Chief Brian Solinsky echoed these sentiments, noting that the partnership and unwavering commitment of law enforcement played a crucial role in solving this case.
Looking Forward
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger highlighted the significance of the case, saying, “This is proof that our justice system is tenacious and perseveres. Although almost four decades have passed, law enforcement never gave up on this case.” Supervisor Barger also expressed hope that this case would serve as a catalyst for increased funding and resources for cold case investigations.
The resolution of Cathy Small’s murder brings long-awaited closure to her family and serves as a testament to the dedication of those who never gave up on seeking justice for her. As Sheriff Luna concluded, “There are other cold cases out there… and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring justice to those who still wait.”
