Murder Of Cara Knott
Police Officer Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
San Diego County, California
TIME PERIOD
December 27, 1986
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
Cara Evelyn Knott, a 20-year-old student at San Diego State University, was murdered on December 27, 1986, while driving from her boyfriend's home in Escondido to her parents' house in El Cajon, California. Her vehicle was discovered the following day on a dead-end road at the Mercy Road offramp from Interstate 15, with her body found in a ravine nearby. The perpetrator, Craig Alan Peyer, a California Highway Patrol officer, was convicted of her murder in 1988 after evidence revealed he had targeted Knott and other women during traffic stops. Significant evidence included scratches on Peyer's face, which he claimed were from a fall, but were believed to have been inflicted by Knott during a struggle. The case remains a notable example of police misconduct and predatory behavior.
Investigators and the public believe that Craig Alan Peyer targeted women along the interstate, using his position as a police officer to lure them into vulnerable situations. It's theorized that when Cara Knott threatened to report Peyer for his inappropriate conduct, he escalated to violence, resulting in her murder. There is also speculation that Peyer's predatory behavior was part of a larger pattern of misconduct during his time as a CHP officer.
The Tragic Murder of Cara Knott
A Late December Night in 1986
On the evening of December 27, 1986, 20-year-old Cara Evelyn Knott embarked on what should have been a routine drive. A San Diego State University student, she was making her way from her boyfriend's home in Escondido, California, to her parents' house in El Cajon. However, this simple journey would tragically end with her disappearance.
By the following day, December 28, Knott's car was discovered abandoned on a dead-end road at the Mercy Road offramp from Interstate 15 in San Diego County. Her body was found at the bottom of a nearby 65-foot ravine, her life cruelly cut short by strangulation.
Craig Alan Peyer: The Officer Turned Killer
The investigation quickly zeroed in on an unlikely suspect: Craig Alan Peyer, a respected police officer and a 13-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Born on March 16, 1950, Peyer's facade of authority masked a predatory nature. During the trial, it emerged that he had been targeting women along the interstate, using his position to make unwanted advances during traffic stops.
The Night of the Murder
On that ill-fated December night, Cara Knott was driving south on Interstate 15 when Peyer, in his marked CHP vehicle, directed her off the freeway onto an isolated, unfinished offramp. It wasn't the first time Peyer had used this tactic. He had been known to harass other female drivers in the same area, under the guise of routine stops, with the ulterior motive of picking them up as dates.
In Knott's case, the encounter escalated. When she threatened to report Peyer for his inappropriate behavior, a struggle ensued. Knott fought back fiercely, scratching and slashing at Peyer's face. In response, Peyer bludgeoned her with his flashlight and strangled her with a rope. He then callously disposed of her body by throwing it over the edge of the Los Peñasquitos Creek Arch Bridge.
A Coincidental Interview
Two days after the murder, a reporter from San Diego's KCST-TV, covering the investigation, conducted a ride-along with Peyer for a segment about female driver safety. Ironically, Peyer appeared on camera with visible scratches on his face, which he claimed were from a fall against a fence in the CHP parking lot. This explanation was quickly debunked, as the fence was found to be too high to cause such injuries. Witnesses later reported seeing a disheveled Peyer speeding into a gas station around the time of the murder.
The Investigation Unfolds
Following the KCST broadcast, authorities received nearly two dozen calls, primarily from women who recognized Peyer as the officer who had pulled them over at the same offramp. Although Peyer had not been overtly hostile, his behavior made these women uncomfortable, as he often stroked their hair and shoulders. Previous complaints against Peyer had been dismissed due to his positive reputation within the CHP.
The investigation revealed that Knott was last seen alive at a Chevron gas station, a mere two miles from the murder scene. The gas station attendant recalled seeing a marked CHP patrol car executing a U-turn just after Knott departed. An examination of Peyer's logbook showed discrepancies; he had falsified entries about the time of the murder and altered several traffic tickets issued later.
Forensic evidence played a crucial role. A forensic dentist, Norman Sperber, analyzed the rope found in Peyer's patrol car and suggested it matched the rope marks on Knott's neck, although he was later barred from presenting his findings in court. Additionally, a unique gold rayon fiber found on Knott's dress matched a shoulder patch on Peyer's uniform. Tire tracks at the bridge indicated a hasty departure, and a drop of blood consistent with Peyer's AB negative blood type was discovered on Knott's boot. Microscopic purple fibers also linked Peyer to the crime.
An internal investigation into Peyer's conduct revealed a pattern: most of the drivers he stopped alone were women fitting Knott's age and physical description.
Trials and Verdict
Peyer's first trial ended in a hung jury, with a 7-5 split favoring conviction. During the retrial, any mention of a potential second suspect and hearsay explanations for Peyer's facial scratches were deemed inadmissible. Ultimately, Peyer was found guilty of murder, marking only the second time a CHP officer was convicted of murder while on duty. On August 4, 1988, he received a sentence of 25 years to life.
Peyer's refusal to provide a DNA sample at his initial parole hearing in 2004, coupled with his lack of remorse, led to a denial of parole. Subsequent parole hearings in 2008 and 2012 also resulted in denials. Peyer's next parole eligibility is set for January 2027, by which time he will be nearly 77 years old. He is currently serving his sentence at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, California.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the trial, a wave of incidents ensued where female drivers, wary of police misconduct, refused to stop for police officers. The tragedy deepened for the Knott family when Cara's father, Sam Knott, died of a heart attack on November 30, 2000, near the memorial garden they had created at the site of her death.
Peyer's third wife, Karen, whom he married 18 months before the murder, divorced him around 2007. Despite his nearly unblemished prison record and work as an electrician, Peyer's past remains a haunting chapter in California's history.
Media Coverage
The case has been extensively covered in books such as "True Stories of Law & Order: SVU" by Kevin Dwyer and Juré Fiorillo, and "Badge of Betrayal: The Devastating True Story of a Rogue Cop Turned Murderer" by Joe Cantlupe and Lisa Petrillo. It has also been the subject of television episodes, including "City Confidential's" "Badge of Dishonor" and "Forensic Files'" "Badge of Betrayal."
See Also
- Cara Knott Memorial Bridge
- List of solved missing person cases: pre-2000
- Police misconduct in the United States
Sources
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Cara Knott Disappears
Cara Knott goes missing while driving home from her boyfriend's house.
Body Discovered
Cara Knott's body is found at the bottom of a ravine near Mercy Road.
Investigation Begins
Authorities start investigating the circumstances surrounding Cara's death.
Craig Peyer Arrested
California Highway Patrol officer Craig Peyer is arrested as a suspect in Knott's murder.
Trial Begins
The first trial of Craig Peyer begins but results in a hung jury.
Peyer Convicted
Craig Peyer is found guilty of the murder of Cara Knott and sentenced to 25 years to life.
First Parole Hearing
Peyer has his first parole hearing after serving 17 years but is denied.
Second Parole Denied
Peyer is denied parole again after serving 21 years.
Third Parole Denied
Peyer is denied parole for a third time after serving 25 years.
Cara Evelyn Knott, a 20-year-old student at San Diego State University, was murdered on December 27, 1986, while driving from her boyfriend's home in Escondido to her parents' house in El Cajon, California. Her vehicle was discovered the following day on a dead-end road at the Mercy Road offramp from Interstate 15, with her body found in a ravine nearby. The perpetrator, Craig Alan Peyer, a California Highway Patrol officer, was convicted of her murder in 1988 after evidence revealed he had targeted Knott and other women during traffic stops. Significant evidence included scratches on Peyer's face, which he claimed were from a fall, but were believed to have been inflicted by Knott during a struggle. The case remains a notable example of police misconduct and predatory behavior.
Investigators and the public believe that Craig Alan Peyer targeted women along the interstate, using his position as a police officer to lure them into vulnerable situations. It's theorized that when Cara Knott threatened to report Peyer for his inappropriate conduct, he escalated to violence, resulting in her murder. There is also speculation that Peyer's predatory behavior was part of a larger pattern of misconduct during his time as a CHP officer.
The Tragic Murder of Cara Knott
A Late December Night in 1986
On the evening of December 27, 1986, 20-year-old Cara Evelyn Knott embarked on what should have been a routine drive. A San Diego State University student, she was making her way from her boyfriend's home in Escondido, California, to her parents' house in El Cajon. However, this simple journey would tragically end with her disappearance.
By the following day, December 28, Knott's car was discovered abandoned on a dead-end road at the Mercy Road offramp from Interstate 15 in San Diego County. Her body was found at the bottom of a nearby 65-foot ravine, her life cruelly cut short by strangulation.
Craig Alan Peyer: The Officer Turned Killer
The investigation quickly zeroed in on an unlikely suspect: Craig Alan Peyer, a respected police officer and a 13-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Born on March 16, 1950, Peyer's facade of authority masked a predatory nature. During the trial, it emerged that he had been targeting women along the interstate, using his position to make unwanted advances during traffic stops.
The Night of the Murder
On that ill-fated December night, Cara Knott was driving south on Interstate 15 when Peyer, in his marked CHP vehicle, directed her off the freeway onto an isolated, unfinished offramp. It wasn't the first time Peyer had used this tactic. He had been known to harass other female drivers in the same area, under the guise of routine stops, with the ulterior motive of picking them up as dates.
In Knott's case, the encounter escalated. When she threatened to report Peyer for his inappropriate behavior, a struggle ensued. Knott fought back fiercely, scratching and slashing at Peyer's face. In response, Peyer bludgeoned her with his flashlight and strangled her with a rope. He then callously disposed of her body by throwing it over the edge of the Los Peñasquitos Creek Arch Bridge.
A Coincidental Interview
Two days after the murder, a reporter from San Diego's KCST-TV, covering the investigation, conducted a ride-along with Peyer for a segment about female driver safety. Ironically, Peyer appeared on camera with visible scratches on his face, which he claimed were from a fall against a fence in the CHP parking lot. This explanation was quickly debunked, as the fence was found to be too high to cause such injuries. Witnesses later reported seeing a disheveled Peyer speeding into a gas station around the time of the murder.
The Investigation Unfolds
Following the KCST broadcast, authorities received nearly two dozen calls, primarily from women who recognized Peyer as the officer who had pulled them over at the same offramp. Although Peyer had not been overtly hostile, his behavior made these women uncomfortable, as he often stroked their hair and shoulders. Previous complaints against Peyer had been dismissed due to his positive reputation within the CHP.
The investigation revealed that Knott was last seen alive at a Chevron gas station, a mere two miles from the murder scene. The gas station attendant recalled seeing a marked CHP patrol car executing a U-turn just after Knott departed. An examination of Peyer's logbook showed discrepancies; he had falsified entries about the time of the murder and altered several traffic tickets issued later.
Forensic evidence played a crucial role. A forensic dentist, Norman Sperber, analyzed the rope found in Peyer's patrol car and suggested it matched the rope marks on Knott's neck, although he was later barred from presenting his findings in court. Additionally, a unique gold rayon fiber found on Knott's dress matched a shoulder patch on Peyer's uniform. Tire tracks at the bridge indicated a hasty departure, and a drop of blood consistent with Peyer's AB negative blood type was discovered on Knott's boot. Microscopic purple fibers also linked Peyer to the crime.
An internal investigation into Peyer's conduct revealed a pattern: most of the drivers he stopped alone were women fitting Knott's age and physical description.
Trials and Verdict
Peyer's first trial ended in a hung jury, with a 7-5 split favoring conviction. During the retrial, any mention of a potential second suspect and hearsay explanations for Peyer's facial scratches were deemed inadmissible. Ultimately, Peyer was found guilty of murder, marking only the second time a CHP officer was convicted of murder while on duty. On August 4, 1988, he received a sentence of 25 years to life.
Peyer's refusal to provide a DNA sample at his initial parole hearing in 2004, coupled with his lack of remorse, led to a denial of parole. Subsequent parole hearings in 2008 and 2012 also resulted in denials. Peyer's next parole eligibility is set for January 2027, by which time he will be nearly 77 years old. He is currently serving his sentence at California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo, California.
The Aftermath
In the wake of the trial, a wave of incidents ensued where female drivers, wary of police misconduct, refused to stop for police officers. The tragedy deepened for the Knott family when Cara's father, Sam Knott, died of a heart attack on November 30, 2000, near the memorial garden they had created at the site of her death.
Peyer's third wife, Karen, whom he married 18 months before the murder, divorced him around 2007. Despite his nearly unblemished prison record and work as an electrician, Peyer's past remains a haunting chapter in California's history.
Media Coverage
The case has been extensively covered in books such as "True Stories of Law & Order: SVU" by Kevin Dwyer and Juré Fiorillo, and "Badge of Betrayal: The Devastating True Story of a Rogue Cop Turned Murderer" by Joe Cantlupe and Lisa Petrillo. It has also been the subject of television episodes, including "City Confidential's" "Badge of Dishonor" and "Forensic Files'" "Badge of Betrayal."
See Also
- Cara Knott Memorial Bridge
- List of solved missing person cases: pre-2000
- Police misconduct in the United States
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Cara Knott Disappears
Cara Knott goes missing while driving home from her boyfriend's house.
Body Discovered
Cara Knott's body is found at the bottom of a ravine near Mercy Road.
Investigation Begins
Authorities start investigating the circumstances surrounding Cara's death.
Craig Peyer Arrested
California Highway Patrol officer Craig Peyer is arrested as a suspect in Knott's murder.
Trial Begins
The first trial of Craig Peyer begins but results in a hung jury.
Peyer Convicted
Craig Peyer is found guilty of the murder of Cara Knott and sentenced to 25 years to life.
First Parole Hearing
Peyer has his first parole hearing after serving 17 years but is denied.
Second Parole Denied
Peyer is denied parole again after serving 21 years.
Third Parole Denied
Peyer is denied parole for a third time after serving 25 years.