Cathy Torres sustained at least several fatal injuries to her wrist and neck. Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. His cousin, Xavier Lopez, was also sentenced to prison for helping him commit the crime. But as DNA technology improved over the years, there was finally evidence to link Xavier Lopez to the scene of the crime. An autopsy later revealed that she was stabbed in the face, head, and torso, with fatal slashes on her wrists and neck. Cathy Torrez was found stabbed multiple times in the trunk of her car just days after she was first reported missing in February 1994. Sam's brother Armando was married to Cathy's elder sister Tina at the time. Kathy Torres lived her childhood in Placentia, California. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Instead, all he did was injure his hand in the process. The episode, titled The Promise, re-airs on Oxygen this Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 7 pm ET. Armando Lopez also admitted to helping his brother and cousin commit the crime. At 20-years-old, Cathy Torrez was described by her friends and family as a smart, beautiful, and . Xavier Lopez still faces trial. Tina Mora, the victims sister and ex-wife of Armando Lopez, told Hoffer that the defendant, for 23 years, continued to avoid the truth with his brother and cousin., She added, Armando, you harmed Cathy by your words and your actions to cover up for your brother Your culpability in Cathys murder is recognized today.. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. He is the brother of Sam Lopez, who was sentenced in 2015 to the killing of his ex-girlfriend Cathy Torrez in 1994. Even before finding Torrezs body, detectives suspected that Lopez wasnt being truthful, a belief that was strengthened when he showed little emotion or curiosity after learning about Torrezs death. Dateline: Secrets revealed will air on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Cathy Torrez's family members wept in the . Catherine Torres-Stahl is a judge of the Texas 175th District Court. They have also lived in Jonesboro, AR and Paragould, AR. . Dateline: Inside facts revealed with Kathy Torres case on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 7 p.m. MyNewsLA.com wont sell your information and you can unsubscribe at any time. Her purse was missing and the drivers seat was reclined completely, which was unusual as Cathy wasnt very tall. The 20-year-old from Placentia, California worked two jobs while studying at California State University Fullerton. He then put her in the car trunk with his cousin's assistance while she was still alive and sliced her neck and wrists. NBC's 'Dateline' has been a staple of the true-crime genre ever since its premiere in 1992. It was all my fault, Lopez said. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Debbie Torrez noted how Armando Lopez appeared to help in the search for her sister before the victims body was found. As part of the plea deal with prosecutors, a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact was dropped. ET on Oxygen. . Share with God how you ignored her cries. Torrez was killed in February 1994. However, things soon fell apart when the 20-year-old failed to return home as usual on February 12, 1994, after her shift at Sav-On. Required fields are marked *. Without any physical evidence, the case went cold for nearly 21 years and was only reopened several years later when Xavier was linked to the DNA found on the victim's clothes. The womans car, with her body in the trunk, was found a week later, following a frantic, communitywide search. but for now, they were left with unanswered questions and a town shaken by her murder. She had a passion for life and a bright future ahead of her, said Debbie Torrez, Cathys younger sister. Cathy Torres, organizing manager of Frontera Fund, protests outside the Starr County Jail after Lizelle Herrera was held there on a charge of murder for allegedly having a self-induced abortion. According to her autopsy report, she was stabbed dozens of times, with puncture wounds all over her head, face, and upper body. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets revealed will chronicle the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. Lopez confessed to the murder in 2015 and claimed that he "took everything away from her." In 1993, Kathy reconnects with Sam Lopez, her high school sweetheart. However, it was the three slashes made on her wrists and neck that ended her life. Torrez was killed in February 1994. mr fog max pro twist bottom how to use; lewistown sentinel police report 2022; 1951 hudson hornet top speed But prosecutors said Lopez suffered from fits of jealousy and became enraged when he discovered a hickey another man had given Torrez a week before her disappearance. The passenger seat in the car, along with the guard, was supposedly splattered with blood and her body was found in the trunk with no fewer than 74 gashes. She admitted to spanking Isaiah, but denied she was responsible for any of the bruises or wounds covering the boy's . 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. Be the first one to comment on this story. 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. Who would commit such a savage crime? The two faces of Todd Winkler. Torrez' family was present in court and spoke directly to Lopez: "Armando, you hurt Cathy, by your words and your actions to cover up the evil," said Tina Mora, Cathy's sister. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Join Facebook to connect with Cathy Torres and others you may know. At 20-years-old, Cathy Torrez was described by her friends and family as a smart, beautiful, and responsible young lady. That is why he has lived his life with no remorse for the horrific things he did to my sister, Mora said. 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. Her campaign was absent and the drivers seat was reclined completely backwards, which was odd because Kathy wasnt very tall. 5 chilling details about Cathy Torrez's murder. After 12 years in the air, Cathy Torres is contemplating life on the ground. In the end, Sam Lopez was convicted and sentenced for first-degree murder. Select this result to view Kathy M Torres's phone number, address, and more. Cathy Torrez was a 20-year-old honors student at Cal State Fullerton and a part-time worker at a Sav-On drugstore in Placentia, California. Although his statements validated their long-held belief that Lopez murdered Torrez, family members said it was too late to ease years of suffering. We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. Sam and his cousin Xavier were both arrested and charged with murder, with the former being tried first. Armando Lopez pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime. The episode titled The promise will re-air this Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The ex-boyfriend of a Cal State Fullerton student killed in 1994 was found guilty of first-degree murder after more than two days of deliberations by an Orange County Superior Court jury. Maryland high school coach pulls team, goes on rant about officiating, Who Is Xana Kernodles Mom? When Cathy Torrez never came home after work, her family feared the worst. She had a beautiful, promising future, full of life, and I took everything away from her. Xavier Lopez pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a four-year, eight-month prison sentence. 10: Bombshells. The Placentia resident was an honor sociology student at Cal State Fullerton and had dreams of becoming a social worker one day. But with no physical evidence tying Lopez to the car or to Torrezs body, the case went cold. They reconnected in September 1993 at Cathy's sister Tina's wedding to Sam's older brother, Armando Lopez. by 2Paragraphs in Culture, True Crime Murder TV | March 20, 2021, Placentia, CA featured on Dateline 'The Promise' (NBC). Meanwhile, Xavier Lpez was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after confessing to compulsory killing. fbPixelFired = true; In February 1994, California State Fullerton University student Cathy Torrez was only 20 years old when she was viciously stabbed to death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "Even though people say no, there's nothing that they can do anymore, you have to keep trying. 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. Torrez, a 20-year-old honors student at Cal State Fullerton, disappeared on the evening of Feb. 12, 1994 after leaving her job at a Sav-On drugstore in Placentia. Shortly after reconnecting, Sam and Cathy begin a wild relationship. Cathy just jumps right out of that picture, Hoffer said. This entry in the franchise takes a second look at some of the most mysterious cases of recent history. . He then helped Sam in disposing of the body. In This Dateline Classic, Cathy Torrez Was A Beautiful, Smart And Responsible 20-Year-Old Student. Cathy Krauseneck was a young wife and mother. Josh Mankiewicz reports. (KNWA/ KFTA) - In a KNWA / Fox 24 News Special Report, Anchor Tavares Jones takes a closer look at the case of Mauricio Torres, the . The hit television crime series normally focuses on cases that have happened in the African-American community. her Krystal Anderson, has been arrested and charged with her kidnapping. The police noticed that Cathy was still alive when she was pushed into the storage room, evident from the visible impression seen inside. Annet Schlosser opened up to "Dateline" about her sister who was found . Moreover, Sams brother, Armando Lopez was also involved with the cover-up. A jury sentenced her . 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 S The investigation into her death reopens a troubling mystery surrounding the untimely death of another woman Catherine Winkler who died on a desolate mountain trail in Georgia. An intensive search ended after her car was found, with her body in the trunk. DATELINE FRIDAY PREVIEW: Along Came Sarah 00:45. She will forever be young, and she will live on in our memories.. NBC's 'Dateline: The Promise' profiles the disappearance and murder of 20-year-old Cathy Torrez, who was last seen alive leaving her job at a local drug store on February 12, 1994.With more than 70 stab wounds, her nearly mutilated body was discovered a week later, packed in the trunk of her abandoned vehicle in a nearby hospital's parking lot. document.addEventListener("scroll", function() { loadFBPixel() }); The verdict was reached Tuesday, as family members of Cathy Torrez got emotional in the back of the courtroom. 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. The family also continues to honor Cathy's life by supporting the Cathy Torrez Learning Center in Placentia. An autopsy revealed that she was stabbed in the face, head and upper body with fatal slits to her wrists and neck. function loadFBPixel() { On the other hand, Xavier pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a four-year, eight-month prison sentence. Her amazing dressing sense, Delightful looks and Honest Grin makes her not the same as others. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? She kept two sources of income while she went to class, and lived with her mother, Mary, stepfather, and three relatives. The two would often frequently hang out at Cathy's workplace, Sav-On, along with Sam's cousin Xavier Lopez. Sam implied that he made the final three slashes after he and Xavier had already placed her in the trunk of her car. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. 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. Crime Beat, The charges were nonetheless dismissed due to a lack of physical evidence connecting him to the murder. There are two particular "Dateline" episodes that parallel each other. Originally Aired On NBC On April 24, 2015. I still believe he has no remorse for what he did, said Mary Bennett, Torrezs mother. He remains under investigation, however. April 25, 2015 Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of a brutal murder and stabbing, which may trigger some readers. Xavier reportedly testified that he was in his truck when the couple got into an argument during which Sam attacked Cathy. Months into their on-and-off relationship, the 20-year-old went missing. Thus, a year later, they publicly named him as their primary suspect. Listen to the details of a night a week before Cathy Torrez was murdered that hinted at the danger she was facing. 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. Xavier Lopez calmed his cousin and then they carried the victim to the trunk of the car and put her in, Murphy said. dateline the promise, part 4. san diego noise ordinance times; About Us. S2, Ep. Hoffer said he was touched by a photo of the victim that Tina Mora held up as she made her victim impact statement to the judge. Cathy . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. DATELINE FRIDAY SNEAK PEEK: Along Came Sarah 01:53. 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 . Jan. 18, 2012 -- The husband of a pregnant woman who was found beaten to death five years ago was back in a North Carolina courtroom Tuesday as jury selection began for . Mother Of Idaho Victim Arrested After Murders, US rehearses dropping nuclear bombs in Europe, Video of Deer Attacking Family While Woman Screams Hysterically, Colorado judge finds sea of unreliability in companys cellphone mapping data | Courts, Rabbi Mark Golub remembered for wit, heart at funeral service, Two-year nursing program to start this fall in Prince George, Inside Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohbergers unusually long route home to Pennsylvania, Mens Gymnastics Set to Compete at Illinois, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper Announce North American Tour with Ministry and Filter, Rahne Adds 11 Student-Athletes on National Signing Day, Brian Boitano building community through food, UPS begins phaseout of older MD-11 cargo jets, Monterey Countys Wine and Winegrape Sector and Support Businesses Deliver a Total Economic Contribution of $1.4 Billion in Annual Economic Activity, Santa Clara man charged in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection, Trip Report: The Breeze Airways Experience in California, Aircraft Performance Group Awarded Flight Operations Solutions Contract with Vista Flight Support. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered will revisit the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. Authorities believed Cathy was still alive when she was put in the trunk, based on the visible handprint discovered within. 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. The Promise. He also said: Everything they said about Cathy was the truth she was a wonderful person. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? According to producers, Dateline NBC will also include Saturday nights beginning this fall. Her ex-boyfriend later confessed. In 1997, authorities were eventually able to charge Sam's cousin, Xavier Lopez, with murder. 9: Surprise: Four Arrests. 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. She had been stabbed 74 times. They have also lived in Ann Arbor, MI and Appleton, WI. 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. Sara was only three years old at the time of Cathy's tragic death. ET with the case of Cathy Torrez. Police say they suspected Lopez was the murder suspect from the very beginning. 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. "We never gave up. The couple, along with Sam's cousin, would often spend time together at Cathy's workplace, a local drug store called Sav-On. 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. Lopez and his cousin, Javier Lopez, were . document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); Cathy Torrez and Lynsie Ekelund both . Discretion is advised. A sentencing date for Sam Lopez was set for May 1. 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. The confession came as a shock to his brother, according to Armando Lopezs attorney, David Swanson. After all, she had already immersed herself in tutoring and mentoring those who belonged to the rougher neighborhoods. She had been stabbed about 70 times. When Cathy Torrez never came home after work, her family feared the worst. She signed a plea deal for life in prison without parole for the capital murder charge and 20 years for battery. document.addEventListener("mousemove", function() { loadFBPixel() }); She studied sociology at California State Fullerton and wanted to fulfill her dream of becoming a social worker. It was all my fault: Ex-boyfriend gets 26, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), It was all my fault: Ex-boyfriend gets 26 years to life after admitting to 1994 Placentia murder of Cathy Torrez, Fire at Barnes & Noble in Orange disrupts book-signing event, Cold, drizzly week ahead for Southern California, OC Marine who volunteered in Ukraine, survived rocket attack: I would do it again, Masseur arrested on suspicion of sexual assault at Riverside acupuncture clinic, Sam Lopez confessed Friday to the brutal slaying, Man who helped his brother cover up 1994 Placentia murder of Cathy Torrez sentenced to probation, Crime Beat podcast: Letters between Cathy Torrez and the man her mother believed killed her, Prosecutor: Jealousy fueled ex-boyfriend in 94 Placentia stabbing death; defense says cousin killed her, Placentia investigators: Defendant in Cathy Torrezs stabbing death was suspect from the beginning, 1994 Placentia stabbing trial: No way Cathy Torrez was stabbed to death over a hickey, defense claims, Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (April 20-27), The DMV says permission to drive is based on ability, but older drivers are scrutinized more, Then and Now: Photos of Casa Romantica show damage caused by landside, More land sliding at Casa Romantica; residents evacuated, trains halted through San Clemente, Repeat drunk driver gets 15 years to life for Orange crash that killed 19-year-old Starbucks worker, Here are Orange Countys top 6 educators this year, Joe Bidens re-election bid is off to a bad start, Land beneath Casa Romantica drops 10 feet, halts railroad service through San Clemente, Orange County Artist of the Year winners announced, A look at Orange Countys baseball teams and the CIF-SS playoffs, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. riverton school closings, the wheelhouse rehab deer park,