cathy torres dateline
Judge David A. Hoffer told Lopez he appreciated his honesty, but it wasnt enough to sway the judge from sentencing Lopez to 26 years to life in state prison. by Eleanor Klibanoff April 13, 2022 10 AM Central. In 2011, Cathy was recognized by El Diario/La Prensa, the nation's oldest Spanish-language daily newspaper, as a "Woman of Distinction.". Your email address will not be published. In the episode, titled "The Bad Man . He then disposed of the body with his cousin's help. The Disturbing Truth - Podcasts-Online.org We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. January 18, 2012, 7:51 AM. "Dateline: Secrets Uncovered" The Promise (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb Dateline: Secrets revealed will air on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. During his hearing, Xavier testified that he was sitting in his truck when he saw the argument between Cathy and Sam break out. 0:00. Your login session has expired. Her purse was missing and the drivers seat was reclined completely, which was unusual as Cathy wasnt very tall. Despite the fact that investigators found her body in the storage compartment of her car in no less than seven days, it took nearly twenty years to finally catch her tormentorhit or miss beau Sam Lopez. Kathy Torres lived her childhood in Placentia, California. ET. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered - What happened to Cathy Torrez? - Sportskeeda An autopsy later revealed that she was stabbed in the face, head, and torso, with fatal slashes on her wrists and neck. The cars front seat was reportedly covered in blood along with the bumper, and her body was found in the trunk with at least 74 stab wounds. Samuel Lopez used a newspaper and plastic bag to lift the . All rights reserved. At a time when Kathy Torrez never comes home after work, her family fears the most terrible thing; a serious manhunt closes after her car and body are found in the storage shed; it takes a long time to get to the truth. Cathy Torres sustained at least several fatal injuries to her wrist and neck. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered will revisit the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. Sam Lopez and his cousin Xavier allegedly met Cathy Torrez in the parking lot of a Baskin Robbins on February 12, 1994. Xavier Lopez told investigators he saw the ex-couple arguing and then heard screaming from the car, so he ran over and pulled his cousin off the victim because he thought she was being punched and was sliced accidentally with the knife, Murphy said. Twenty years after Cathy Torrez was repeatedly stabbed and left to die in the trunk of her car in Placentia, her ex-boyfriend was found guilty Tuesday in her. 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Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Sams brother Armando had been linked to Kathys older sister Tina at that point. Torrez tried to run, the prosecutor said, but Lopez chased her down and stabbed her dozens of times before shoving her into the trunk of her car and making three final cuts to her wrists and neck that ended Torrezs life. BENTON COUNTY, Ark. Xavier Lopez also told investigators that he saw his cousin essentially finish the job of the killing when he opened the trunk and slashed away at the victim again, Murphy said. She should be here today I like to think she was.. The narrative unraveled slowly, and it was eventually revealed that Lopez attacked Torrez during an argument and stabbed her 74 times. He also said: Everything they said about Cathy was the truth she was a wonderful person. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Cathy Torres Cathy Torres, 48, of Bella Vista, Ark., is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder and battery in the 2015 death of her son, Mauricio "Isaiah" Torres. After moving to an unknown location Samuel Lopez got out of the car and opened Torrez's trunk. In February 1994, California State Fullerton University student Cathy Torrez was only 20 years old when she was brutally stabbed to death. Please logout and login again. Cathy Torrez was still alive when she was forced into the trunk of her car, where her body was found a week later. Her amazing dressing sense, Delightful looks and Honest Grin makes her not the same as others. Until Sam admitted that he committed the crime at sentencing, (the defendant and his family) all still believed that he was innocent because he had told them he didnt do it and, as family members do, they believed him, Swanson told City News Service. Sam's brother Armando was married to Cathy's elder sister Tina at the time. On February 19, following a community-wide search, Cathys 1990 Toyota Corolla was found abandoned in the Placentia Linda Hospital parking lot. ET with the case of Cathy Torrez. Arkansas woman gets life sentence in death of her 6-year-old son Who would commit such a savage crime? Several friends and co-workers testified that she had planned to meet Lopez after work. An intensive search ends after her car is found, with her body in the trunk. Thus, a year later, they publicly named him as their primary suspect. Discretion is recommended. Produced by Clare Friedland, Anthony Venditti and Gail Abbott Zimmerman. April 25, 2015 Given how long this series has been on the air, it has an extensive archive of some of the most baffling cases to have transpired in America. Murder case in 1994 kicks off new TV show focusing on human side of Cathy was found slain in her bed with an ax lodged in her head in Brighton in upstate New York on Feb. 19, 1982. . Josh Mankiewicz reports. Originally Aired On NBC On April 24, 2015. Man who helped his brother cover up 1994 Placentia murder of Cathy . That's the one thing that kept me going, kept us going," she said. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered - What happened to Cathy Torrez. Meanwhile, Xavier Lopez was sentenced to four years and eight months after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. In This Dateline Classic, Cathy Torrez Was A Beautiful, Smart And Responsible 20-Year-Old Student. by Cathy Torres | September 24, 2020. An intensive search ended after her car was found . document.addEventListener("scroll", function() { loadFBPixel() }); The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets revealed will chronicle the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. Your email address will not be published. The confession came as a shock to his brother, according to Armando Lopezs attorney, David Swanson. Cathy Torrezs family members wept in the packed Santa Ana courtroom as Lopez made his surprise apology for killing the 20-year-old girl in 1994. Cathy was known to be a wonderful person with a bright future ahead of her. All rights reserved. Lopez had suggested several days earlier that the two elope, but friends said Torrez planned to turn him down because she wanted an actual wedding and didnt want to run away. KABC. fbq('track', "PageView"); Coroners determined the cause of death was exsanguination (blood deprivation) from all the stab wounds. Riverside County Firefighters Stop Forward Progress of Brush Fire in Thermal, Walk to End Genocide Held Sunday In Fairfax District, Asian Couple in Bel Air Terrorized in Home Invasion Robbery, Police Arrest 24 During DUI Checkpoint in Riverside, Riverside Police Arrest 24 People During DUI Checkpoint, Coroner IDs Man Who Jumped or Fell From Freeway Overpass. His cousin, Xavier Lopez, was also sentenced to prison for helping him commit the crime. Investigators suspected Cathy Torrezs ex-boyfriend, Sam Lopez, was behind her disappearance even before her body was discovered. Xavier Lopez still faces trial. In this Dateline classic, Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. She kept two sources of income while she went to class, and lived with her mother, Mary, stepfather, and three relatives. fbq('track', 'ViewContent'); The couple, along with Sams cousin, often spent time together at Cathys place of work, a local drug store called Sav-On. The show, however, was different from his previous national TV appearances on Dateline NBC and other crime tabloids episodes that detailed homicide cases on which he was the lead detective. FULL EPISODE: The Promise - NBC News They have also lived in Ann Arbor, MI and Appleton, WI. After all, she had already immersed herself in tutoring and mentoring those who belonged to the rougher neighborhoods. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Cathy is related to Karen Faye Thompson and Gary Dewayne Vickers as well as 3 additional people. Discretion is advised. Annet Schlosser opened up to "Dateline" about her sister who was found . Trigger Warning: This article contains descriptions of a violent crime, which may be disturbing to some readers. Twenty years after stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death and leaving her body in the trunk of a car, Sam Lopez confessed Friday to the brutal slaying. Cathy, before leaving work, even informed all her co-workers that she was going to meet Sam after her shift. VC Andrews Ruby Says Real-Life Twin Sister Steals the Show as Giselle on Lifetime, The Banno sisters in 'Ruby' (Lifetime photo), 2012-2023, 2paragraphs Productions, LLC. Daron Wyatt at the conclusion of a press conference announcing arrests in the 13-year-old case in . With no physical evidence, the case remained cold for almost 21 years and was only reopened several years later when Xavier was linked to DNA found on the victims clothing. Cathy Krauseneck's family recalls ax murder, justice being served According to her autopsy report, she was stabbed dozens of times, with puncture wounds all over her head, face, and upper body. Please logout and login again. . Its like shes here. New York State Police announced on Thursday, April 20, that a 42-year-old man named Edward Holley has been arrested for second-degree murder in . The family also continues to honor Cathy's life by supporting the Cathy Torrez Learning Center in Placentia. Although his statements validated their long-held belief that Lopez murdered Torrez, family members said it was too late to ease years of suffering. Judge grants complete mistrial in Mauricio Torres murder case - KHBS Your login session has expired. The Dateline Saturday Night Mystery episode The Promise investigates the 1994 disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez. function loadFBPixel() { FROM Page 1. has been met with feelings of sadness and frustration by Jetty Dunecare members. While attending school, she worked two jobs and lived with her mother, Mary, stepfather, and three siblings. Dateline NBC. Cathys missing person case soon turned into a murder case. December 12, 2015 / 11:08 PM / CBS News. Listen to the details of a night a week before Cathy Torrez was murdered that hinted at the danger she was facing. At his sentencing, Samuel Lopez took the unusual step of admitting his guilt and apologizing to the Torrez family. She was going to Cal State Fullerton for a social science major, and needed to satisfy her fantasies about becoming a social worker. I still believe he has no remorse for what he did, said Mary Bennett, Torrezs mother. An intensive search ended after her car was found, with her body in the trunk. Where is Sam Lopez Now? - The Cinemaholic Everyone who spoke during the court hearing, including Sam Lopez, remembered Torrez as a vibrant, beautiful woman with a contagious smile and laugh who dreamed of becoming a social worker. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Toni Fratto & Kody Patten were both 17 when they took Micaela Costanzo out to a grave in the Nevada desert & beat her up, hit her over the head with a shovel. Cathy Torres testified Tuesday morning and blamed Isaiah's abuse on her husband. Sean Emery is a crime and public safety reporter for the Register who covers state and federal courts and criminal justice issues. her Krystal Anderson, has been arrested and charged with her kidnapping. Xavier reportedly testified that he was in his truck when the couple got into an argument during which Sam attacked Cathy. Lopez confessed to the murder in 2015 and ensured he had cleared it all out. They reconnected in September 1993 at Cathy's . Sam and Xavier Lopez were arrested in 2007. Another of the victims sisters tearfully told the judge that she didnt have the words to explain the impact her siblings death had on the family. fbq('init', '952063904834769'); Cathy Torres Accepts Plea Deal In Capital Murder Case; Avoids Death He was convicted of first-degree murder and was given a sentence of 26 years to life in prison. "We never gave up. The brother of a man who killed his ex-girlfriend by stabbing her dozens of times admitted Friday he helped his sibling cover up the crime 23 years ago in Placentia and was immediately sentenced to a year of informal probation. Armando was shocked and saddened and he and the rest of the family felt very badly about what happened.. SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The brother of a man convicted in the 1994 stabbing death of a Cal State Fullerton . At the age of four, she and her family moved to Jonesboro. Please reload the page and try again. Her campaign was absent and the drivers seat was reclined completely backwards, which was odd because Kathy wasnt very tall. Photos courtesy of flickr, flickr, and Cathy Torres. Dateline NBC will investigate Cathy Torrez's . 2. The couple, along with Cousin Sam, hung out frequently at Cathys work environment, a nearby pharmacy called Save-On. Cathy Torrez, 20, is shown in an undated file image. . She had been stabbed about 70 times. He has worked for the Register since 2006, previously covering breaking news, the city of Irvine, the Orange County Great Park, and the city of San Juan Capistrano. Pin on 2paragraphs Buzz! - Pinterest Everything that Mr. (Deputy District Attorney Matt) Murphy said is true. 20-year-old Cathy Torrez went missing on February 12, 1994 (Image via NBC Dateline) Cathy Torrez and Sam Lopez used to be high school sweethearts. Xavier Lopez was also charged with murder as he helped put Cathys body into the car while she was still alive. Prosecutors think Xavier Lopez helped in the killing, possibly driving Sam Lopez to meet Torrez and helping to lift her body into the trunk of her car. Sam Lopez was eventually found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to 26 years to life in prison. Daughter of lawmaker killed in 2006 found dead in apparent murder A car drove by at that point and the two, nervous they had been spotted, drove the victimto a nearby hospital parking lot that would have 24-hour activity so a car parked there for a long time could go unnoticed, the prosecutor said. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Her disappearance was announced long before. Sam Lopez received a 26-year prison term for the murder of Cathy Torrez in 1994, after being found guilty of one felony count of murder with the use of a deadly weapon as a sentencing enhancement. Huge bear captured on video casually roaming Arcadia neighborhood, Lakers, LeBron James to play Warriors, Steph Curry in NBA showdown, Permanent supporting housing project opens in South LA. Xavier Lopez, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact, is set to go to trial sometime in March. Confess how you picked up her bloody body, how she cried and told you to stop.. All the while, detectives believed Cathy Torrez was here and there beau Sam Lopez, who had a false justification and guarantee that he was with his cousin, Xavier. }, Your email address will not be published. Dateline 20/20 Cathy Torrez Left For Dead - YouTube Who would commit such a savage crime? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Dateline: Secrets Uncovered What happened to Cathy Torrez? Cathy Torrez grew up in Placentia, California. Maurice Isaiah Torres died March 30, 2015, at a Bella Vista hospital. However, it was the three slashes made on her wrists and neck that ended her life. Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy told jurors at Samuel Lopezs trial that he killed his on-again, off-again girlfriend on Feb. 12, 1994, after the 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton student rejected his proposal to elope. Dateline NBC - The Promise Kept - Google Podcasts Josh Mankiewicz reports. The prosecution and defense moved into the sentencing phase following the jury's verdict. Dateline frequently airs repeat episodes on Thursday nights. SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The brother of a man convicted in the 1994 stabbing death of a Cal State Fullerton student pleaded guilty to helping cover up the crime and was sentenced, as the victim's sisters delivered emotional statements in court. Instead, all he did was injure his hand in the process. Updated: May 17, 2021 / 03:40 PM CDT. She and James share one daughter together, Sara, who is now in her mid-40s. Prior to Sam Lopezs confession, as they presented their victim impact statements at Fridays sentencing, Torrezs family members struggled through tears while urging him to admit to killing Torrez. Man pleads guilty in coverup of 1994 murder of Fullerton student Police say they suspected Lopez was the murder suspect from the very beginning. Your email address will not be published. The episode titled The promise will re-air this Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Several years later, investigations into this slaying were revived, which led to the use of advanced techniques and the discovery of DNA belonging to Sams cousin, Xavier Lopez, on Cathys clothes. The front seat of the car, along with the bumper, was reportedly covered in blood and her body was found int he car trunk with at least 74 stab bounds. According to reports, the front seat and bumper of the car were soaked in blood, and her body was discovered in the trunk with at least 74 stab wounds. Mysterious cold case murder of upstate New York mother Cathy Krauseneck From the start, detectives suspected Cathy Torrez's on-and-off boyfriend Sam Lopez, who had a fake alibi and claimed that he was with his cousin Xavier. He pleaded guilty to dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and was sentenced to a year on probation. One week after her disappearance, Cathys body was found in the trunk of a car. Dateline: Contact Information, Journalists, and Overview - Muck Rack 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.