Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Torrez was killed in February 1994. ET with the case of Cathy Torrez. Authorities believed Cathy was still alive when she was put in the trunk, based on the visible handprint discovered within. When Cathy Torrez never came home after work, her family feared the worst. There are two particular "Dateline" episodes that parallel each other. Moreover, Sams brother, Armando Lopez was also involved with the cover-up. In the end, Sam Lopez was convicted and sentenced for first-degree murder. They have also lived in Jonesboro, AR and Paragould, AR. 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. I still believe he has no remorse for what he did, said Mary Bennett, Torrezs mother. Her purse was missing and the driver's seat was completely reclined, which was unusual as Cathy wasn't very tall. BENTONVILLE Cathy Lynn Torres will spend the rest of her life in prison for her role in the death of her 6-year-old son. Select this result to view Cathy Lynn Torres's phone number, address, and more. Sam and Cathy got into a fight at one point, during which the former attacked the 20-year-old and repeatedly stabbed her in the head, face, and chest. Maurice Isaiah Torres died March 30, 2015, at a Bella Vista hospital. Police report that her ex-boyfriend Samuel Augustine Lopez was a suspect but he had an alibi from his cousin, Xavier Javier Lopez. Cathy Torres pleaded guilty to capital murder and battery. The brutal murder of Cathy Krauseneck is the focus of Friday's episode of Dateline at 9 p.m. on Rochester's NBC affiliate (Channel 10). 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. Dateline NBC Today at 3:10 PM On September 28, Tony Berry, boyfriend of missing South Carolina mot . The 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton college student from Placentia, California, was stabbed 74 times and left for dead in the trunk of a car. Prosecutors allege Lopez stabbed Torrez more than 70 times, and he and his cousin stuffed her in the trunk of her car while she was still alive. q ANZAC Parade 2022 marching down First Avenue in Sawtell. Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. 2. The police noticed that Cathy was still alive when she was pushed into the storage room, evident from the visible impression seen inside. Meanwhile, Xavier Lpez was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after confessing to compulsory killing. 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. She worked two jobs while attending school, and lived with her mother Mary, stepfather, and three siblings. It is believed that her story will be covered on an episode of Fatal Attraction. Her mutilated body was found a week later, still in her car, in the parking lot of Placentia-Linda Hospital. fbq('init', '952063904834769'); Required fields are marked *. After moving to an unknown location Samuel Lopez got out of the car and opened Torrez's trunk. Juan Gustafo Barroso also was charged as an accessory after the fact, but charges against him were dismissed in September 2008. The autopsy revealed that she had lacerations to the face, head and chest area with fatal wounds to her wrist and neck. Be the first one to comment on this story. An intensive search ended after her car was found, with her body in the trunk. DATELINE FRIDAY PREVIEW: Along Came Sarah 00:45. but for now, they were left with unanswered questions and a town shaken by her murder. Whoops! An intensive search ends after her car is found, with her body in the trunk. A judge granted a request for a complete mistrial after a stepson of Mauricio Torres jumped out of the witness stand and attempted to attack him in court while testifying . Cathy was found slain in her bed with an ax lodged in her head in Brighton in upstate New York on Feb. 19, 1982. . He was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to 26 years to life. An autopsy later revealed that she was stabbed in the face, head, and torso, with fatal slashes on her wrists and neck. Cathy Torres testified Tuesday morning and blamed Isaiah's abuse on her husband. Both suspects were subsequently arrested in 2007. He then helped Sam dispose of the body. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cathy Torrez was a 20-year-old Latina who was found dead in her car trunk over 20 years ago. fbPixelFired = true; Debbie Torrez noted how Armando Lopez appeared to help in the search for her sister before the victims body was found. Although his statements validated their long-held belief that Lopez murdered Torrez, family members said it was too late to ease years of suffering. 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 . Armando Lopez also admitted to helping his brother and cousin commit the crime. Cathy Torrez and Sam Lopez used to be high school sweethearts. Thus, a year later, they publicly named him as their primary suspect. Lopez confessed to the murder in 2015 and claimed that he "took everything away from her." Cathy Torrez's family members wept in the . He then disposed of the body with his cousin's help. The Rio Grande Valley, often seen as a reliable vote against abortion, has a long history of advocacy to increase access to the procedure. Cathys missing case turned out to be a murder before long. The confession came as a shock to his brother, according to Armando Lopezs attorney, David Swanson. Likewise, his cousin, Xavier Lpez, was sentenced to prison for aiding the offense. The hit television crime series normally focuses on cases that have happened in the African-American community. Josh Mankiewicz reports. The last person we meet is Sam Lopez, who lives across the street. Cathy Torrez was a bright 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton honors student who vanished one night in 1994. But as DNA technology improved over the years, there was finally evidence to link Xavier Lopez to the scene of the crime. [This story was first . There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. liverpool hospital outpatients; ohio high school colors and mascots; tjx warehouse jobs memphis, tn; Services. Becky Gs Boyfriend Is Soccer Hottie Sebastian Lletget Pics! SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- The brother of a man convicted in the 1994 stabbing death of a Cal State Fullerton . 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. Cathy Torrez never came home after work and her family fears the worst. The couple, along with Sam's cousin, would often spend time together at Cathy's workplace, a local drug store called Sav-On. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 26 years of life imprisonment. Kathy is related to Michelle L Torres and Oscar C Torres as well as 2 additional people. The Promise. One week after her disappearance, Cathys body was found in the trunk of a car. Sometimes, it even revisits matters with added updates, which has been the case for its episode entitled The Promise. Profiling the 1994 disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, this classic highlights exactly how investigators used advanced technology to bring her justice decades later. Its way too little and way too late, Wyatt said. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Xavier Lopez, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact, is set to go to trial sometime in March. 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. Co-defendant Xavier Francisco Lopez, a cousin of the brothers, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in October 2015 and was sentenced to time already served behind bars. Anyway, things ruined themselves before long when the 20-year-old neglected to return as expected on February 12, 1994, after her Sav-On day. 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. Samuel Lopez, last year when it aired on Dateline NBC . Dateline: Secrets Uncovered - What happened to Cathy Torrez. They have also lived in Ann Arbor, MI and Appleton, WI. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. 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. By Richard Schlesinger. April 25, 2015 According to her autopsy report, she was stabbed dozens of times, with puncture wounds all over her head, face, and upper body. 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. jackson city dump hours; chicago bears rumors trade; clothing similar to wornstar; bbc scotland sports reporters; The 20-year-old from Placentia, California worked two jobs while studying at California State University Fullerton. Former high school sweethearts, Torrez and Lopez had renewed their relationship in the weeks leading up to her February 1994 death. "Even though people say no, there's nothing that they can do anymore, you have to keep trying. Annet Schlosser opened up to "Dateline" about her sister who was found . Mar 21, 2021 - The Dateline Saturday Night Mystery episode 'The Promise' investigates the 1994 disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez. On the other hand, Xavier pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a four-year, eight-month prison sentence. Your login session has expired. Her amazing dressing sense, Delightful looks and Honest Grin makes her not the same as others. The ex-boyfriend of a Cal State Fullerton student killed in 1994 was found guilty of first-degree murder. Investigators suspected Cathy Torrezs ex-boyfriend, Sam Lopez, was behind her disappearance even before her body was discovered. Sarika Luthra Bio : Sarika Luthra is a brief video maker, model and online entertainment powerhouse. A few days later, on February 19, Cathys missing car, a red 1990 Toyota Corolla, was discovered by a patrol officer in a hospital parking lot. When Sam stood trial for the same, the prosecutors alleged that he stabbed Cathy 74 times before he and his cousin combined forces to dispose of her body. He remains under investigation, however. The verdict was reached Tuesday, as family members of Cathy Torrez got emotional in the back of the courtroom. The two would often frequently hang out at Cathy's workplace, Sav-On, along with Sam's cousin Xavier Lopez. She was going to Cal State Fullerton for a social science major, and needed to satisfy her fantasies about becoming a social worker. Cathy's the missing person's case was soon turned into a homicide. It was all my fault, Lopez said. She had a passion for life and a bright future ahead of her, said Debbie Torrez, Cathys younger sister. 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. Torrez was last seen leaving work and driving toward a Placentia ice cream shop. dateline the promise, part 4. san diego noise ordinance times; About Us. The episode titled The promisewill re-air this Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Sam implied that he made the final three slashes after he and Xavier had already placed her in the trunk of her car. Share with God how you ignored her cries. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? her Krystal Anderson, has been arrested and charged with her kidnapping. Police say the 20-year-old Fullerton student was stabbed 70 times and forced into the trunk of a car, where her body was found a week later. That is why he has lived his life with no remorse for the horrific things he did to my sister, Mora said. BENTON COUNTY, Ark. During her life, Torrez tutored children in the Placentia area. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); 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. In 1993, Cathy reconnected with Sam Lopez, her high school sweetheart. It take years to get to the truth. Dateline frequently airs repeat episodes on Thursday nights. Police say they suspected Lopez was the murder suspect from the very beginning. 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. With Cathys manner of death ruled as a homicide, the search to find the truth about what happened began. 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. 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. Sam and Xavier Lopez were arrested in 2007. In this Dateline classic, Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. if(fbPixelFired) { Torrez was killed Feb. 12, 1994 after leaving her job at a local Sav-On store. 10: Bombshells. Torrez was killed Feb. 12, 1994 after leaving her job at a local Sav-On store. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Discretion is recommended. Produced by Clare Friedland, Anthony Venditti and Gail Abbott Zimmerman. The 20-year-old from Placentia, California worked two jobs while studying The killing occurred in an apartment complex in Placentia, Murphy said. When Cathy Torrez never came home after work, her family feared the worst. As part of the plea deal with prosecutors, a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact was dropped. ET on Oxygen. He pleaded guilty to dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and was sentenced to a year on probation. Josh Mankiewicz reports. 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. Cathy Torrez grew up in Placentia, California. Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of a brutal murder and stabbing, which may trigger some readers. Updated: May 17, 2021 / 03:40 PM CDT. 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 When Cathy Torrez never comes home after work, her family fears the worst; an intense search ends after her car is found with her body in the trunk; it takes years for the truth to come out.. Xavier reportedly testified that he was in his truck when the couple got into an argument during which Sam attacked Cathy. Cathy Torrez, a 20-year-old Cal State Fullerton student, was murdered in 1994. 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. Detectives re-examined Cathy's case a few years later and in 2007, utilizing modern DNA testing, established that Xavier Lopez's DNA was found on the victim's clothes. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Lopez and his cousin, Javier Lopez, were . . document.addEventListener("mousemove", function() { loadFBPixel() }); Mary Bennett, center, mother of murder victim Cathy Torrez, photo at left, hugs Placentia Sgt. "It's been a difficult journey, but we were constantly supported by prayers and faith," said Torrez's sister, Tina Mora. Prosecutors allege . Both were arrested and charged in connection with the murder case. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered will revisit the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. A few days later, on Febaruary 19, Cathy's missing car, a red 1990 Toyota Corolla, was spotted in a hospital parking lot by a patroling officer. This Episode is Currently Unavailable. The Torrez family still doesnt have Cathy, and nothing will bring her back.. A sentencing date for Sam Lopez was set for May 1. She studied sociology at California State Fullerton and wanted to fulfill her dream of becoming a social worker. Your email address will not be published. Advancements in DNA comparison techniques led to the discovery of DNA from Sam Lopezs cousin Xavier Lopez on Torrezs clothes, as well as bloody fingerprints on the car. She went to Williams Baptist College . Given the passion Samuel Lopez had for his ex-girlfriend, Hoffer said he still finds it perplexing that he killed her in such a vicious way. The narrative unraveled slowly, and it was eventually revealed that Lopez attacked Torrez during an argument and stabbed her 74 times. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered will revisit the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. They reconnected in September 1993 at Cathy's . 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. Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. Sam Lopez didnt look at Torrezs family or friends during the sentencing, averting his eyes as he entered the courtroom and staring straight ahead, rather than turning around when they spoke. In This Dateline Classic, Cathy Torrez Was A Beautiful, Smart And Responsible 20-Year-Old Student. Dateline NBC. The trio then drove to a different location from there. Samuel Lopez used a newspaper and plastic bag to lift the . All rights reserved. Several friends and co-workers testified that she had planned to meet Lopez after work. It was the first time that Lopez admitted to being involved in the murder that shocked a tight-knit Placentia community. The episode titled The promise will re-air this Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. Season 2, Mom vs. Murderer, has a launch date. Cathy Torres sustained at least several fatal injuries to her wrist and neck. The couple, along with Sams cousin, often spent time together at Cathys place of work, a local drug store called Sav-On. 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. S2, Ep. Your login session has expired. Facebook gives people the power to. The family also continues to honor Cathy's life by supporting the Cathy Torrez Learning Center in Placentia. 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 . Cathy, before leaving work, even informed all her co-workers that she was going to meet Sam after her shift. 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. NBCs Dateline has been a staple of the true-crime genre ever since its premiere in 1992. All rights reserved. The Promise Kept. She told co-workers that she . Armando Lopez pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness from reporting a crime. Deadly Twist: With Lester Holt, Keith Morrison, Katelynn White, Rachel Winkler. Be the first one to comment on this story. An autopsy revealed that she was stabbed in the face, head and upper body with fatal slits to her wrists and neck. She was attending California State Fullerton as a sociology major, wanting to fulfill her dreams of becoming a social worker. Attorney Mark Rosenblum, who represented Lopez, told the judge his client will not appeal the verdict. Although the boyfriend was a prime suspect in the case, due to a lack of solid physical evidence, the case went cold until 2007, when DNA found on the victim connected Sam's cousin Xavier Lopez to the murder. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. His cousin Xavier Lopez was also sentenced to prison for helping him commit the crime. He revealed he ran to the couple and tried to pull his cousin off of Cathy, but it didnt work. Dateline: Secrets Uncovered. Sam's brother Armando was married to Cathy's elder sister Tina at the time. The Dateline Saturday Night Mystery episode 'The Promise' investigates the 1994 disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez. 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. Her current term ends on December 31, 2024. That's the one thing that kept me going, kept us going," she said. Coroners determined the cause of death was exsanguination (blood deprivation) from all the stab wounds. . Her purse was missing and the drivers seat was reclined completely, which was unusual as Cathy wasnt very tall. When Cathy Torrez never came home after work, her family feared the worst. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Check for a confirmation email, and then you're all set with MyNewsLA.com! So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Our latest episode of Crime Beat, Season 2: Mom vs. Murderer is available today. Catherine Torres-Stahl is a judge of the Texas 175th District Court. Torres' wife, Cathy, is scheduled to go to trial on the same charges in May 2017. Sams brother Armando was married to Cathys older sister Tina at the time. 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. The confession shocked Torrezs family members, several of whom grew up with Lopezs family in a small Placentia neighborhood. 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. Following her death, an after-school tutoring center was named in her honor. Xavier reportedly testified that he was in his truck when the couple got into an argument which saw Sam attack Cathy. Sign up here for our free newsletters. Originally aired on NBC on April 24, 2015. Cathy has a reputation for being a bright individual with a bright future ahead of her. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Clinical analysts determined that the cause of death was hemorrhaging from all the wound infections. Sam Lopez's attorney, Lew Rosenblum, did not speak on camera following the verdict, but told Eyewitness News that while he respects the jury's decision, he says there was very little hard evidence connecting Sam Lopez to the crime, only a "creative story.". Xavier Lopez, their cousin, also pleaded guilty to a role in her death and investigators still hope to prosecute another man they also believe was involved. cathy torrez had been murdered and stuffed in the trunk of her car. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window). Cathy Torrez was still alive when she was forced into the trunk of her car, where her body was found a week later. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? 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. 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. So why didn't she come home after work like she was supposed to? Kathy Torres lived her childhood in Placentia, California. At 20-years-old, Cathy Torrez was described by her friends and family as a smart, beautiful, and . We meet Cathy Torrez, Mary Bennett and the people in their neighborhood. However, it was the three slashes made on her wrists and neck that ended her life. ET on Oxygen. Armando Lopez pleaded guilty to dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and was immediately sentenced to a year of informal probation. The episode, titled The Promise, re-airs . Your email address will not be published. In this Dateline classic, Cathy Torrez was a beautiful, smart and responsible 20-year-old student. Lopez confessed to the murder in 2015 and ensured he had cleared it all out. Josh Mankiewicz reports. 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. Sean Emery is a crime and public safety reporter for the Register who covers state and federal courts and criminal justice issues. The upcoming episode of Dateline: Secrets revealed will chronicle the haunting disappearance and murder of Cathy Torrez, who was stabbed at least 74 times. var fbPixelFired = false; >> cathy had so much to live for and was a very happy person, a people's person . The two faces of Todd Winkler. Firefighters Discover Man's Body While Battling Apartment Fire in South L.A. Police Investigate No-Hit Shooting in Long Beach, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. The killing occurred in an apartment complex . by Cathy Torres | September 24, 2020. 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. Samuel believes he is above earthly judgment. Discretion is advised. Soon after reconnecting, Sam and Cathy began a tumultuous relationship. Listen to the details of a night a week before Cathy Torrez was murdered that hinted at the danger she was facing. 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. dollar general warehouse hiring process, sabir shakir latest news, drinking coffee while sick with covid,