Post by bob on Jul 19, 2017 17:08:46 GMT
ONS murders are discussed ITT (not EAR crimes). This thread presumes that EAR=ONS, but the point is to clarify our understanding of the ONS crimes so that we can add a tab across the top that says "ONS Crimes" with info exclusively on the murders.
Send corrections and I'll make edits.
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10/1/1979 Monday, October 1, 1979 2:00 am on Queen Ann Lane in Goleta
a one-story home near San Jose Creek (dry creek bed)
Victims "Priscilla Duffy" and "Abel Playa"
As in many cases, the couple had been intimate earlier that night.
Priscilla heard someone whispering, "Wake up. Wake up." He was kicking the bed. She said, "Okay, okay."
He had a flashlight beam on their faces. He ordered them on their stomachs and told her to tie his (Abel's) man's hands and feet. She did. EAR/ONS tied her, then retied the bindings on the boyfriend. All were tied tightly enough to cut off circulation.
EAR/ONS kept saying, "I gotta have money." He also hissed, "Don't look at me motherfucker." and "I'll kill you, motherfuckers." He left the room and they heard him ransacking, opening and shutting drawers. He returned, and said, "I can't find your purse." and "One move, motherfuckers." They saw he was wearing a mask.
He asked where her purse was and said, "I can't find it." She repeated it was in the kitchen on the sink (counter?). He snarled, "Show me." He untied her, grabbed her arm and pulled her nude through the kitchen to the living room. He pushed her behind the couch and had her lie on the floor then retied her ankles. He left and came back and ordered her to lay on her back. He put tennis shorts over her eyes to blind her. He then masturbated.
Then he said, "Now I'm going to kill you. Cut your throat." He walked back into the kitchen.
The victim rolled onto her feet and hopped to the front door. She tripped and slammed into the wall. She found the doorknob and opened it as her ankle bindings came loose. She ran out, screaming for help. Unable to see, she ran into the side of the house. The assailant then put his gloved hands on her, pushed her to the ground, put his thumb in her mouth, and pulled it out. He hissed, "I told you to be quiet."
He put a knife to her throat, pulled her to her feet and back into the house and onto the floor. He retied her ankles and went to check on her boyfriend. She again rolled to her feet and hopped the door, screaming.
The boyfriend had heard her screaming and he hopped to the sliding door and opened it. He got out and slammed into the fence boards and began screaming, "Help! I'm the neighbor! There's a burglar!" One neighbor looked outside and then closed their door again. The boyfriend rolled into the bushes and behind a tree.
A neighbor, FBI Agent Stan Los, heard the screaming and the woman hitting the wall. He called the Sheriff's emergency number then grabbed his duty weapon and went outside.
The assailant stepped into the backyard, didn't see the boyfriend and went back inside.
The FBI agent (neighbor Los) saw a cyclist speed past him on the driveway, unmasked, in a dark gray and blue Pendleton plaid, jeans and tennis shoes. The cyclist turned west on Queen Ann Lane. Los got in his car, which didn't start immediately. He made a u-turn and didn't see the cyclist, but turned west on San Patricio, just 200 feet behind the cyclist.
The cyclist jumped the curb, abandoned the bike and a serrated kitchen knife. Los returned to the scene where the woman was still tied up and screaming. She didn't know the assailant was gone.
Deputies arrived. The bike was a 10-speed 27-inch Nishiki, registered to a U.S. Parole officer who lived on North Patterson (nearby). It had been stolen from his garage between 7:00 pm and midnight. The garage was locked and the door was electronic and couldn't be opened without an opener. Method of theft is unknown.
The black-handled serrated steak knife was found by the bike. The suspect had jumped a fence into a yard that backed a dry creek. Shoe prints (size 8.5 to 9 Adidas running shoes) were found in the victims' and neighbors' yards.
EAR/ONS had pried open the rear slider.
The shoe prints and twine bindings he left behind were the same as those found later in the December 30th Offerman/Manning murders. Though this was not a murder, it may have been planned as a murder and is therefore included here due to proximity, timeline, and inferred intent of the perpetrator.
Victims describe the assailant as a white male, 5'10" or 5'11". They thought they saw dark hair with curly ends above the collar when they woke him up. He had on a ski mask later, wore a pendleton and had a holster on his belt (right side). He had spoken slowly as if trying to mask his age and sound older.
A week prior to this crime, on September 24th, a woman answered the door to a man who asked to use her phone. He had a dog with him and said it had been injured and her wanted to call a friend. He did use the phone and he and the dog were picked up by another man. The dog looked like a german shepherd: color not stated.
On September 25th, a dog being walked (on Berkeley Road) ran into a back yard and came out injured badly enough that the owner took him to a vet.
There was no more activity by EAR in Contra Costa County. The team was unaware of OC assaults and the EAR team was then reduced to three investigators.
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12/30/1979, Manning/Offerman murders 767 Avenida Pequena, Goleta, SB County
Murdered:
Dr. Debra (Dee) Alexandria Manning, age 35, Clinical Psychologist from Santa Maria
Dr. Robert J. Offerman, age 44, Orthopedic Surgeon at Goleta Community Hospital, 5333 Hollister Ave.
Dr. Offerman had offices on West Pueblo and Hollister Streets. Ms. Manning worked on East Plaza Drive at a pain clinic.
Drs. Offerman and Manning were both in the process of divorcing other people.
Early on the eve of the murders, the hosts of the dinner party (mentioned later herein) had cocktails with Drs. Manning and Offerman. Later on the eve of the murders, Offerman went to his ex-wife's home to drop off some skis for his son. He returned around midnight. Around midnight, a neighbor heard a car pull in that she believed was Offerman's Porsche. The neighbor heard voices: Offerman, 1 woman and another man. It is presumed that the female heard by the neighbor was Dr. Manning, but this is unconfirmed, and Dr. Dee Manning's location during Offerman's absence hasn't absolutely been confirmed.
At 3:05 am, a neighbor heard a gunshot, 3 more gunshots, and a final shot. Other neighbors heard as well.
Neighbors with an upstairs view noticed the Offerman's glass slider was open; screen closed. They also saw a white, boxy car (Pinto or Honda sized) lights-off, leave the common parking lot. Their son's bicycle was stolen that night and was found later several blocks away.
As with many EAR/ONS cases, the couple had been intimate the evening of the murder.
Shortly after 11:am a friend of Robert Manning arrived at their home for a tennis date. The friend found the couple slain in their bed.
Manning and Offerman had attended a dinner party together on Toltec Place at the home of [redacted by OP] around two nights before they were murdered (exact date unconfirmed). The hosts of that party visited Offerman and Manning at this 767 Avenida Pequena address and had drinks with them the evening they were murdered. A year and a half later, Domingo and Sanchez were murdered on Toltec Place. The neighbor who had the dinner party (who is mentioned in Shelby's book) has a law degree from Lyman's school (Boalt Hall at Berkeley) and is also from Sacramento.
Neither victim was sexually assaulted.
Robert Offerman was found on the floor on his knees, 4 bullet wounds to his upper torso, one to the upper chest, and 3 to the back; white cord around his left wrist. He had not been sexually assaulted. Flecks of teal paint were found on at least one of the bodies.
Dr. Manning was nude, face-down, hands tied behind her with a bullet wound to the back of her head.
Bindings were short, thin white nylon twine that had been tied together to make a longer binding. Twine was found in other areas of the home.
Drawers and closets had been rifled. No excessive ransacking noticed, but Manning's jewelry was found stuffed between the mattress and bed frame. The thermostat was off.
Pry marks were found on 3 sliding glass doors. The one leading to the living room had been pried so hard, the jamb had been pulled away from the wall.
A plastic bag with turkey bones and a turkey carcass was found on the back patio. Scraps were near the door. A bone was inside the door.
Adidas Runner star-shaped tennis shoe impressions were located in dirt behind the house and in neighbors yard. Dog paw impressions found. Wood matches were found.
The gun used was a .38 caliber, probably Smith and Wesson revolver, loaded with Supervel brand, .38 caliber ammo with 110 grain jacketed bullets.
Neighbors heard gunshots around 3:00 am. One neighbor heard a shot, a pause then 3 successive shots, a pause then one shot. That neighbor at 774 Ave. Pequena had a bicycle stolen that night. It was found several blocks away at 936 Crown Ave. Twine was located in that neighbor's back yard.
LE followed a trail of bindings that led to a nearby home. The man in that home was a suspect for a while (his name was like a word-play on other EAR/ONS crime scene activities in Goleta).
A vacant condo next door (number 769) had been entered. There were pry marks and a screen removed and thrown on a hedge. Shoe impressions were found below the window, and twine was found inside the empty condo on the floor and in the master bathroom sink cabinet. It was the same type used to bind Manning and Offerman.
Teens had been playing D&D in this house during the early part of the eveing, but they had left around midnight. The perpetrator may have hidden in the house while the teens were there.
Blue and gold paint evidence has appeared at other crime scenes. The source of the paint flecks in all cases is unknown. In some cases (which?) it is spatter from sprayed paint that had dried on something then fallen off at the crime scene.
After 4 pm on December 29th, there were 5 burglaries (EAR-type) in the immediate area. A small poodle had been harmed in one home (severity unknown). A bike was stolen
The Offerman Manning case is not linked by DNA. It is linked by the dog, as well as by Signature, MO, geography, etc.
Sacramento LE requested information on this homicide and the earlier attack. Santa Barbara denied the request until March, 1980.
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3/13/1980, Smiths Murdered 573 High Point Drive, East Ventura
Murdered:
Lyman Smith age 43, Lawyer, judgeship imminent, former Sacramento resident
Charlene Smith age 33
Prowling occurred in the neighborhood before the crimes. On the 13th, on El Malabar a resident saw a white mid-70s Pontiac Sedan near High Point Road.
As with other EAR/ONS crimes, the couple had been intimate that night.
A Great Dane woke the neighbors up at 2:00 am and led the owner to the Smiths's gate.
March 16th: The Smith's bodies were found by Lyman's 12-year-old son who came to mow the lawn. A blanket was pulled over their heads.
Lyman was face down within hands and feet tied with drapery cord.
Charlene was face-up wearing a t-shirt. Her hands, wrists crossed were found tightly behind her back. Her feet were bound. The cords used on Charlene had copper threads in the core. The knots were also more ornate than those on Lyman. White drapery cord was used on her ankles. She was bludgeoned (struck once or twice).
Charlened had been raped. Both were bound with drapery cord and bludgeoned to death. The Chinese "diamond knot" was used on their wrists. This knot was used in 1 Sacramento assault. Ventura Supervising Detective Gary Adkinson, and Detective Russ Hayes arrived at 2:17 pm. Captain Paul Lydick also worked the case.
There was a piece of firewood (from the stack outside the house) between them on the bed. A 28-inch piece of rope was on the bed. Drawers in the home were open with contents spilled. The front door and master bedroom window were unlocked.
A white, mid 1970s Pontiac sedan had been spotted on El Malabar road at the corner of High Point Road on the evening of the 13th.
Ventura PD and SB County Sheriffs compared notes on the two murders, but did not believe they were related at this time. This may have been due to a lack of cooperation as opposed to evidence.
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8/19/80, Harringtons Murdered (after 11:05 pm) 33381 Cockleshell Dr. Laguna Nigel, (Dana Point) a gted community in Orange County
As with many EAR/ONS murders, this couple had been intimate that night.
Murdered: Patrice Harrington, age 28, RN Irvine
Keith Harrington age 24, UCI med student, nearing internship
The Harringtons had been married for three months. Keith's father found them.
They were in bed, face down with a blanket over their heads. Evidence suggests both were bound at the wrists and ankles. Ligatures and murder weapon had been removed from the scene. There were brass fragments in Patrice's skull. Ligature marks were on both their wrists and on Patrice's ankle. One of Keith's ankles showed a ligature mark. The bindings had been removed after the murders, but left near the bed. Bindings were brown cord.
Patrice had been raped. Both had been bludgeoned.
Nothing appeared to have been stolen. One burnt match stick was found in the home.
Per Crompton, "Three days after the murders, a left-handed blood stained leather motocross glove was found approximately 3/4 of a mile from the Cockleshell Drive scene near the intersection of Taxco and DeSoto."
October 1996 DNA testing by OC Sheriff's Forensic Science Div proved semen came from the killer.
Keith's brother, Bruce Harrington, started a ballot initiative (Proposition 69) that became Senate Bill 248. This referendum, written by a coalition of CA DA, mandated the collection of DNA from all arrestees in California. The DNA is stored in a statewide database. The bill was passed in 2004 and became active in 2006.
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2/6/81 Manuela Withuhn Murder 2:00 am 35 Columbus, Irvine, Orange County
murdered: Manuela Withuhn, age 28, Loan Officer at BofA in Newport Beach.
On the eve of the 5th, a neighbor arrived home and noticed her deadbolt was unlocked.
Manuela's husband, David Withuhn, was in the hospital at the time of Manuela's murder.
Manuela visited David in the hospital that evening.
Manuela's father had offered to have his dog to stay with her while David was in the hospital. It is unknown if there was a reason for the offer.
Manuela was found (by her parents) dead in her sleeping bag on her bed. A ball of fibers had been placed at the base of her spine. Her wrists were bruised, no ligatures found, but bruising indicated they had been removed. She had been raped. She was bludgeoned to death with an object that was not found at the scene.
Manuela had been place back in her sleeping bag to make it look like she was sleeping. The killer cleaned up blood with towels he put in the hamper. There was apparently spatter up to the vaulted ceiling.
It is believed that David called her later to make sure she had gotten home, but she didn't answer the phone. She may have stopped somewhere on the way home. This is unconfirmed information as of this writing. David was a suspect due to being her husband, but he was cleared.
Manuela's father, Horst, owned a Mercedes repair shop on Newport Blvd. at the 5 FWY. Horst and Manuela's mother lived nearby.
Manuela's husband, David, grew up in Garden Gove and worked as a Parts Manager for Mercedez Benz. This was Manuela and David's first home after they married. There was a peeper who lived south of them who was later cleared by police.
At the murder scene, a screwdriver was found in the back yard with brown Behr paint on it. There were pry marks around the rear-sliding glass door in the living room. They were on the inside of the door. They were staged marks.
There are 2 reports of paint on the screwdriver. 1: There were 5 layers of paint on the flat screwdriver with brown as the predominant color. 2: There was a brown fleck of paint on the shaft.
A TV had been moved to the back yard, possibly to stage the scene as an attempted robbery, possibly as something to stand on and look over the fence before jumping it. Stolen items include: a 9-lb lamp that was believed to be the murder weapon, a crystal carving, the tape from her answering machine under her bed, some jewelry, possibly a St Christopher pendant.
There were prints or glove prints. Later, DNA tied this crime to the other EAR/ONS crimes.
Wooden matches were found, two in front of the door leading into the garage, and 4 in the (visible from the street) flowerbed beside the garage: some lit and blown out, some burnt to the end.
Irvine PD consulted a psychic known as "Reverend Joan of Bellflower" about the case.
There was a break in about 5 years after Manuela's murder, but the intruder tripped an alarm and fled. Prior to this break in (approximately 1986) there were suspicious phone calls that included heavy breathing and hangups.
Questions:
What was the date of the break-in on Columbus 5 years after Manuela's death?
The Mercedez Benz parts shop where David Withuhn worked had been vandalized. Rumor is that a car was also driven through the front of the shop. Can anyone find more info on this?
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7/27/1981, Domingo/Sanchez, Murders 3:30 am.
449 Toltec Way, Goleta, Santa Barbara County, CA (1/2 mile from Manning murders)
Cheri Domingo, 35, laid-off Administrative Assistant.
Gregory Sanchez age 27, Electronic Tech
On the 26th, a realtor was showing the home when a second buyer arrived, went outside, and removed a window screen. No description of this POI is available yet.
A neighbor saw a man standing behind a tree at 9:45 pm the night of the murder. Other neighbor (man and wife) were followed while walking at 10:00 pm. He was young, 5'11" slender, with blond neck length hair.
At 11:00 pm a mother and daughter jogging saw someone of the same description on the sidewalk behind the Domingo residence. He had a German Shepherd. The location was Merida and Toltec Drive.
Cheri was house-sitting at the Toltec residence. Her close friend, Greg, had come to visit before leaving town. In addition to his job at Burroughs Corp., Greg played softball in a league. Cheri's son was out of state; her daughter had stayed the night with friends.
There is speculation that Gregory Sanchez tried to fight back. Mr. Sanchez was found face down, partially inside his closet. He had one gun shot wound to his cheek that was not fatal. There were 24 blunt force head wounds that left blood spatters on the walls. The murderer placed clothing from the closet over Gregory's head after killing him. There was no evidence that he had been bound. There was also medium-velocity blood spatter on the soles of his feet. This was Cheri's blood and likely landed on Greg's feet when Cheri was bludgeoned.
They were found by a real estate agent showing the home. The potential buyers' 3-year old son saw the crime scene and was traumatized.
Cheri was nude and completely covered by bedding. She was face down with her hands behind her back. Ligature marks indicate her hands had been tied to her ankles. She had been killed with a single blow. Her wrists and ankles showed ligature marks. Shipping twine was found by the bed. No weapon was discovered.
Burnt matches were found at the crime scene.
Witnesses earlier that evening had been followed by a young man around 5'11 tall, slender, with blond hair to his neck. Other witnesses saw him behind the Domingo residence with a German Shepherd.
One neighbor said they had heard a gunshot between 3:20 and 3:35 am on the 27th, followed by a scream, and dogs barking for 1/2 an hour.
May 6, 2011: DNA evidence links this crime to others.
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5/4/1986, Janelle Cruz, Murdered 13 Encina, Northwood tract, Irvine, Orange County, CA (1 mile from Withuhn murder)
murdered: Janelle Cruz, Age 18, Bullwinkle's Pizza, cashier.
This murder took place 4 years, 9 months and 8 days after the last known ONS murder. She was the youngest victim. Her mom was vacationing in Mexico.
Janelle had accused a marine of raping her. Associates and family of the marine behaved in a way that lent credence to this accusation. DNA has cleared him of being ONS.
Janelle had a male friend over at the house that evening (who is not a POI). They heard noises at some point. He left around 10:45 pm. At 11:15 pm, a neighbor heard Janelle's Chevette (with a defective muffler) drive up to her home. He also heard one car door slam.
Janelle called at least one friend to request company. She did not want to be alone in the house. The noises she heard worried her.
May 5th 5:00 pm. A realtor found Janelle's body lying diagonally across her bed. Her head was covered by a blanket.
She had been bludgeoned to death. Blades of grass were near her feet, knees, and head. Her bra had been pulled down to her waist. Blue lint was found on and near her body. Abrasions and scrapes were on her wrist.
In addition to the bed, blood was found on the kitchen floor, cabinets, front-entry floor, and shutters at the head of her bed.
Ret. Detective Shelby says Ms. Cruz was killed with a pipe wrench that was missing from the home.
Kitten Man, a POI associated with Janelle, has been cleared by DNA, per Shelly.
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Send corrections and I'll make edits.
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10/1/1979 Monday, October 1, 1979 2:00 am on Queen Ann Lane in Goleta
a one-story home near San Jose Creek (dry creek bed)
Victims "Priscilla Duffy" and "Abel Playa"
As in many cases, the couple had been intimate earlier that night.
Priscilla heard someone whispering, "Wake up. Wake up." He was kicking the bed. She said, "Okay, okay."
He had a flashlight beam on their faces. He ordered them on their stomachs and told her to tie his (Abel's) man's hands and feet. She did. EAR/ONS tied her, then retied the bindings on the boyfriend. All were tied tightly enough to cut off circulation.
EAR/ONS kept saying, "I gotta have money." He also hissed, "Don't look at me motherfucker." and "I'll kill you, motherfuckers." He left the room and they heard him ransacking, opening and shutting drawers. He returned, and said, "I can't find your purse." and "One move, motherfuckers." They saw he was wearing a mask.
He asked where her purse was and said, "I can't find it." She repeated it was in the kitchen on the sink (counter?). He snarled, "Show me." He untied her, grabbed her arm and pulled her nude through the kitchen to the living room. He pushed her behind the couch and had her lie on the floor then retied her ankles. He left and came back and ordered her to lay on her back. He put tennis shorts over her eyes to blind her. He then masturbated.
Then he said, "Now I'm going to kill you. Cut your throat." He walked back into the kitchen.
The victim rolled onto her feet and hopped to the front door. She tripped and slammed into the wall. She found the doorknob and opened it as her ankle bindings came loose. She ran out, screaming for help. Unable to see, she ran into the side of the house. The assailant then put his gloved hands on her, pushed her to the ground, put his thumb in her mouth, and pulled it out. He hissed, "I told you to be quiet."
He put a knife to her throat, pulled her to her feet and back into the house and onto the floor. He retied her ankles and went to check on her boyfriend. She again rolled to her feet and hopped the door, screaming.
The boyfriend had heard her screaming and he hopped to the sliding door and opened it. He got out and slammed into the fence boards and began screaming, "Help! I'm the neighbor! There's a burglar!" One neighbor looked outside and then closed their door again. The boyfriend rolled into the bushes and behind a tree.
A neighbor, FBI Agent Stan Los, heard the screaming and the woman hitting the wall. He called the Sheriff's emergency number then grabbed his duty weapon and went outside.
The assailant stepped into the backyard, didn't see the boyfriend and went back inside.
The FBI agent (neighbor Los) saw a cyclist speed past him on the driveway, unmasked, in a dark gray and blue Pendleton plaid, jeans and tennis shoes. The cyclist turned west on Queen Ann Lane. Los got in his car, which didn't start immediately. He made a u-turn and didn't see the cyclist, but turned west on San Patricio, just 200 feet behind the cyclist.
The cyclist jumped the curb, abandoned the bike and a serrated kitchen knife. Los returned to the scene where the woman was still tied up and screaming. She didn't know the assailant was gone.
Deputies arrived. The bike was a 10-speed 27-inch Nishiki, registered to a U.S. Parole officer who lived on North Patterson (nearby). It had been stolen from his garage between 7:00 pm and midnight. The garage was locked and the door was electronic and couldn't be opened without an opener. Method of theft is unknown.
The black-handled serrated steak knife was found by the bike. The suspect had jumped a fence into a yard that backed a dry creek. Shoe prints (size 8.5 to 9 Adidas running shoes) were found in the victims' and neighbors' yards.
EAR/ONS had pried open the rear slider.
The shoe prints and twine bindings he left behind were the same as those found later in the December 30th Offerman/Manning murders. Though this was not a murder, it may have been planned as a murder and is therefore included here due to proximity, timeline, and inferred intent of the perpetrator.
Victims describe the assailant as a white male, 5'10" or 5'11". They thought they saw dark hair with curly ends above the collar when they woke him up. He had on a ski mask later, wore a pendleton and had a holster on his belt (right side). He had spoken slowly as if trying to mask his age and sound older.
A week prior to this crime, on September 24th, a woman answered the door to a man who asked to use her phone. He had a dog with him and said it had been injured and her wanted to call a friend. He did use the phone and he and the dog were picked up by another man. The dog looked like a german shepherd: color not stated.
On September 25th, a dog being walked (on Berkeley Road) ran into a back yard and came out injured badly enough that the owner took him to a vet.
There was no more activity by EAR in Contra Costa County. The team was unaware of OC assaults and the EAR team was then reduced to three investigators.
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12/30/1979, Manning/Offerman murders 767 Avenida Pequena, Goleta, SB County
Murdered:
Dr. Debra (Dee) Alexandria Manning, age 35, Clinical Psychologist from Santa Maria
Dr. Robert J. Offerman, age 44, Orthopedic Surgeon at Goleta Community Hospital, 5333 Hollister Ave.
Dr. Offerman had offices on West Pueblo and Hollister Streets. Ms. Manning worked on East Plaza Drive at a pain clinic.
Drs. Offerman and Manning were both in the process of divorcing other people.
Early on the eve of the murders, the hosts of the dinner party (mentioned later herein) had cocktails with Drs. Manning and Offerman. Later on the eve of the murders, Offerman went to his ex-wife's home to drop off some skis for his son. He returned around midnight. Around midnight, a neighbor heard a car pull in that she believed was Offerman's Porsche. The neighbor heard voices: Offerman, 1 woman and another man. It is presumed that the female heard by the neighbor was Dr. Manning, but this is unconfirmed, and Dr. Dee Manning's location during Offerman's absence hasn't absolutely been confirmed.
At 3:05 am, a neighbor heard a gunshot, 3 more gunshots, and a final shot. Other neighbors heard as well.
Neighbors with an upstairs view noticed the Offerman's glass slider was open; screen closed. They also saw a white, boxy car (Pinto or Honda sized) lights-off, leave the common parking lot. Their son's bicycle was stolen that night and was found later several blocks away.
As with many EAR/ONS cases, the couple had been intimate the evening of the murder.
Shortly after 11:am a friend of Robert Manning arrived at their home for a tennis date. The friend found the couple slain in their bed.
Manning and Offerman had attended a dinner party together on Toltec Place at the home of [redacted by OP] around two nights before they were murdered (exact date unconfirmed). The hosts of that party visited Offerman and Manning at this 767 Avenida Pequena address and had drinks with them the evening they were murdered. A year and a half later, Domingo and Sanchez were murdered on Toltec Place. The neighbor who had the dinner party (who is mentioned in Shelby's book) has a law degree from Lyman's school (Boalt Hall at Berkeley) and is also from Sacramento.
Neither victim was sexually assaulted.
Robert Offerman was found on the floor on his knees, 4 bullet wounds to his upper torso, one to the upper chest, and 3 to the back; white cord around his left wrist. He had not been sexually assaulted. Flecks of teal paint were found on at least one of the bodies.
Dr. Manning was nude, face-down, hands tied behind her with a bullet wound to the back of her head.
Bindings were short, thin white nylon twine that had been tied together to make a longer binding. Twine was found in other areas of the home.
Drawers and closets had been rifled. No excessive ransacking noticed, but Manning's jewelry was found stuffed between the mattress and bed frame. The thermostat was off.
Pry marks were found on 3 sliding glass doors. The one leading to the living room had been pried so hard, the jamb had been pulled away from the wall.
A plastic bag with turkey bones and a turkey carcass was found on the back patio. Scraps were near the door. A bone was inside the door.
Adidas Runner star-shaped tennis shoe impressions were located in dirt behind the house and in neighbors yard. Dog paw impressions found. Wood matches were found.
The gun used was a .38 caliber, probably Smith and Wesson revolver, loaded with Supervel brand, .38 caliber ammo with 110 grain jacketed bullets.
Neighbors heard gunshots around 3:00 am. One neighbor heard a shot, a pause then 3 successive shots, a pause then one shot. That neighbor at 774 Ave. Pequena had a bicycle stolen that night. It was found several blocks away at 936 Crown Ave. Twine was located in that neighbor's back yard.
LE followed a trail of bindings that led to a nearby home. The man in that home was a suspect for a while (his name was like a word-play on other EAR/ONS crime scene activities in Goleta).
A vacant condo next door (number 769) had been entered. There were pry marks and a screen removed and thrown on a hedge. Shoe impressions were found below the window, and twine was found inside the empty condo on the floor and in the master bathroom sink cabinet. It was the same type used to bind Manning and Offerman.
Teens had been playing D&D in this house during the early part of the eveing, but they had left around midnight. The perpetrator may have hidden in the house while the teens were there.
Blue and gold paint evidence has appeared at other crime scenes. The source of the paint flecks in all cases is unknown. In some cases (which?) it is spatter from sprayed paint that had dried on something then fallen off at the crime scene.
After 4 pm on December 29th, there were 5 burglaries (EAR-type) in the immediate area. A small poodle had been harmed in one home (severity unknown). A bike was stolen
The Offerman Manning case is not linked by DNA. It is linked by the dog, as well as by Signature, MO, geography, etc.
Sacramento LE requested information on this homicide and the earlier attack. Santa Barbara denied the request until March, 1980.
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3/13/1980, Smiths Murdered 573 High Point Drive, East Ventura
Murdered:
Lyman Smith age 43, Lawyer, judgeship imminent, former Sacramento resident
Charlene Smith age 33
Prowling occurred in the neighborhood before the crimes. On the 13th, on El Malabar a resident saw a white mid-70s Pontiac Sedan near High Point Road.
As with other EAR/ONS crimes, the couple had been intimate that night.
A Great Dane woke the neighbors up at 2:00 am and led the owner to the Smiths's gate.
March 16th: The Smith's bodies were found by Lyman's 12-year-old son who came to mow the lawn. A blanket was pulled over their heads.
Lyman was face down within hands and feet tied with drapery cord.
Charlene was face-up wearing a t-shirt. Her hands, wrists crossed were found tightly behind her back. Her feet were bound. The cords used on Charlene had copper threads in the core. The knots were also more ornate than those on Lyman. White drapery cord was used on her ankles. She was bludgeoned (struck once or twice).
Charlened had been raped. Both were bound with drapery cord and bludgeoned to death. The Chinese "diamond knot" was used on their wrists. This knot was used in 1 Sacramento assault. Ventura Supervising Detective Gary Adkinson, and Detective Russ Hayes arrived at 2:17 pm. Captain Paul Lydick also worked the case.
There was a piece of firewood (from the stack outside the house) between them on the bed. A 28-inch piece of rope was on the bed. Drawers in the home were open with contents spilled. The front door and master bedroom window were unlocked.
A white, mid 1970s Pontiac sedan had been spotted on El Malabar road at the corner of High Point Road on the evening of the 13th.
Ventura PD and SB County Sheriffs compared notes on the two murders, but did not believe they were related at this time. This may have been due to a lack of cooperation as opposed to evidence.
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8/19/80, Harringtons Murdered (after 11:05 pm) 33381 Cockleshell Dr. Laguna Nigel, (Dana Point) a gted community in Orange County
As with many EAR/ONS murders, this couple had been intimate that night.
Murdered: Patrice Harrington, age 28, RN Irvine
Keith Harrington age 24, UCI med student, nearing internship
The Harringtons had been married for three months. Keith's father found them.
They were in bed, face down with a blanket over their heads. Evidence suggests both were bound at the wrists and ankles. Ligatures and murder weapon had been removed from the scene. There were brass fragments in Patrice's skull. Ligature marks were on both their wrists and on Patrice's ankle. One of Keith's ankles showed a ligature mark. The bindings had been removed after the murders, but left near the bed. Bindings were brown cord.
Patrice had been raped. Both had been bludgeoned.
Nothing appeared to have been stolen. One burnt match stick was found in the home.
Per Crompton, "Three days after the murders, a left-handed blood stained leather motocross glove was found approximately 3/4 of a mile from the Cockleshell Drive scene near the intersection of Taxco and DeSoto."
October 1996 DNA testing by OC Sheriff's Forensic Science Div proved semen came from the killer.
Keith's brother, Bruce Harrington, started a ballot initiative (Proposition 69) that became Senate Bill 248. This referendum, written by a coalition of CA DA, mandated the collection of DNA from all arrestees in California. The DNA is stored in a statewide database. The bill was passed in 2004 and became active in 2006.
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2/6/81 Manuela Withuhn Murder 2:00 am 35 Columbus, Irvine, Orange County
murdered: Manuela Withuhn, age 28, Loan Officer at BofA in Newport Beach.
On the eve of the 5th, a neighbor arrived home and noticed her deadbolt was unlocked.
Manuela's husband, David Withuhn, was in the hospital at the time of Manuela's murder.
Manuela visited David in the hospital that evening.
Manuela's father had offered to have his dog to stay with her while David was in the hospital. It is unknown if there was a reason for the offer.
Manuela was found (by her parents) dead in her sleeping bag on her bed. A ball of fibers had been placed at the base of her spine. Her wrists were bruised, no ligatures found, but bruising indicated they had been removed. She had been raped. She was bludgeoned to death with an object that was not found at the scene.
Manuela had been place back in her sleeping bag to make it look like she was sleeping. The killer cleaned up blood with towels he put in the hamper. There was apparently spatter up to the vaulted ceiling.
It is believed that David called her later to make sure she had gotten home, but she didn't answer the phone. She may have stopped somewhere on the way home. This is unconfirmed information as of this writing. David was a suspect due to being her husband, but he was cleared.
Manuela's father, Horst, owned a Mercedes repair shop on Newport Blvd. at the 5 FWY. Horst and Manuela's mother lived nearby.
Manuela's husband, David, grew up in Garden Gove and worked as a Parts Manager for Mercedez Benz. This was Manuela and David's first home after they married. There was a peeper who lived south of them who was later cleared by police.
At the murder scene, a screwdriver was found in the back yard with brown Behr paint on it. There were pry marks around the rear-sliding glass door in the living room. They were on the inside of the door. They were staged marks.
There are 2 reports of paint on the screwdriver. 1: There were 5 layers of paint on the flat screwdriver with brown as the predominant color. 2: There was a brown fleck of paint on the shaft.
A TV had been moved to the back yard, possibly to stage the scene as an attempted robbery, possibly as something to stand on and look over the fence before jumping it. Stolen items include: a 9-lb lamp that was believed to be the murder weapon, a crystal carving, the tape from her answering machine under her bed, some jewelry, possibly a St Christopher pendant.
There were prints or glove prints. Later, DNA tied this crime to the other EAR/ONS crimes.
Wooden matches were found, two in front of the door leading into the garage, and 4 in the (visible from the street) flowerbed beside the garage: some lit and blown out, some burnt to the end.
Irvine PD consulted a psychic known as "Reverend Joan of Bellflower" about the case.
There was a break in about 5 years after Manuela's murder, but the intruder tripped an alarm and fled. Prior to this break in (approximately 1986) there were suspicious phone calls that included heavy breathing and hangups.
Questions:
What was the date of the break-in on Columbus 5 years after Manuela's death?
The Mercedez Benz parts shop where David Withuhn worked had been vandalized. Rumor is that a car was also driven through the front of the shop. Can anyone find more info on this?
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7/27/1981, Domingo/Sanchez, Murders 3:30 am.
449 Toltec Way, Goleta, Santa Barbara County, CA (1/2 mile from Manning murders)
Cheri Domingo, 35, laid-off Administrative Assistant.
Gregory Sanchez age 27, Electronic Tech
On the 26th, a realtor was showing the home when a second buyer arrived, went outside, and removed a window screen. No description of this POI is available yet.
A neighbor saw a man standing behind a tree at 9:45 pm the night of the murder. Other neighbor (man and wife) were followed while walking at 10:00 pm. He was young, 5'11" slender, with blond neck length hair.
At 11:00 pm a mother and daughter jogging saw someone of the same description on the sidewalk behind the Domingo residence. He had a German Shepherd. The location was Merida and Toltec Drive.
Cheri was house-sitting at the Toltec residence. Her close friend, Greg, had come to visit before leaving town. In addition to his job at Burroughs Corp., Greg played softball in a league. Cheri's son was out of state; her daughter had stayed the night with friends.
There is speculation that Gregory Sanchez tried to fight back. Mr. Sanchez was found face down, partially inside his closet. He had one gun shot wound to his cheek that was not fatal. There were 24 blunt force head wounds that left blood spatters on the walls. The murderer placed clothing from the closet over Gregory's head after killing him. There was no evidence that he had been bound. There was also medium-velocity blood spatter on the soles of his feet. This was Cheri's blood and likely landed on Greg's feet when Cheri was bludgeoned.
They were found by a real estate agent showing the home. The potential buyers' 3-year old son saw the crime scene and was traumatized.
Cheri was nude and completely covered by bedding. She was face down with her hands behind her back. Ligature marks indicate her hands had been tied to her ankles. She had been killed with a single blow. Her wrists and ankles showed ligature marks. Shipping twine was found by the bed. No weapon was discovered.
Burnt matches were found at the crime scene.
Witnesses earlier that evening had been followed by a young man around 5'11 tall, slender, with blond hair to his neck. Other witnesses saw him behind the Domingo residence with a German Shepherd.
One neighbor said they had heard a gunshot between 3:20 and 3:35 am on the 27th, followed by a scream, and dogs barking for 1/2 an hour.
May 6, 2011: DNA evidence links this crime to others.
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5/4/1986, Janelle Cruz, Murdered 13 Encina, Northwood tract, Irvine, Orange County, CA (1 mile from Withuhn murder)
murdered: Janelle Cruz, Age 18, Bullwinkle's Pizza, cashier.
This murder took place 4 years, 9 months and 8 days after the last known ONS murder. She was the youngest victim. Her mom was vacationing in Mexico.
Janelle had accused a marine of raping her. Associates and family of the marine behaved in a way that lent credence to this accusation. DNA has cleared him of being ONS.
Janelle had a male friend over at the house that evening (who is not a POI). They heard noises at some point. He left around 10:45 pm. At 11:15 pm, a neighbor heard Janelle's Chevette (with a defective muffler) drive up to her home. He also heard one car door slam.
Janelle called at least one friend to request company. She did not want to be alone in the house. The noises she heard worried her.
May 5th 5:00 pm. A realtor found Janelle's body lying diagonally across her bed. Her head was covered by a blanket.
She had been bludgeoned to death. Blades of grass were near her feet, knees, and head. Her bra had been pulled down to her waist. Blue lint was found on and near her body. Abrasions and scrapes were on her wrist.
In addition to the bed, blood was found on the kitchen floor, cabinets, front-entry floor, and shutters at the head of her bed.
Ret. Detective Shelby says Ms. Cruz was killed with a pipe wrench that was missing from the home.
Kitten Man, a POI associated with Janelle, has been cleared by DNA, per Shelly.
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