William Lester Suff Confesses to 1986 Murder

The decades-old murder case of Cathy Small, a 19-year-old who was killed in 1986, has been solved with the identification of her killer as William Lester Suff, a convicted serial killer currently on death row. Suff, 73, confessed to stabbing Small multiple times after an argument, and her body was discovered on February 22, 1986, in South Pasadena. Initially classified as Jane Doe No. 17, Small was identified days later by a roommate who noted her association with a man named 'Bill' who offered her money for a ride. The case remained cold for years until DNA evidence from the crime scene matched Suff, leading to his confession. Law enforcement officials expressed relief in finally serving justice for Small and her family, who have endured decades of uncertainty. Suff is already serving a death sentence for the murders of 12 other women.