The Chilling Crimes of Steven Dean Gordon

Introduction

In the shadowy streets of Santa Ana and Anaheim, California, between 2013 and 2014, the lives of at least four women were tragically cut short by the sinister actions of Steven Dean Gordon and his accomplice, Franc Cano. Their ruthless spree targeted sex workers, leaving families heartbroken and communities in shock. Today, Gordon sits on death row, having confessed to these heinous acts and hinted at more undiscovered horrors.

Early Life

Steven Dean Gordon's story begins on February 3, 1969, in Lynwood, California. A move to Norwalk shortly after his birth marked the start of a challenging upbringing characterized by poverty and health issues. Gordon's school years were marred by bullying, largely due to his short stature, which fostered an aggressive demeanor and what some might call a Napoleon complex.

Graduating from Santa Fe High School in 1988, Gordon opted for employment over further education, landing a job at Disneyland as a handyman. It was here he met Lanai Lewis, a fellow employee who would become a significant part of his life. Gordon was well-liked in the community, known for his passion for softball, particularly as a key player for the local Walt Disney Parks and Resorts team in the early 1990s.

Legal Troubles

In 1992, a dark shadow was cast over Gordon's life when his sister accused him of molesting her daughter. Despite initially pleading guilty, he later recanted, claiming coercion by his girlfriend. Nevertheless, the court found him guilty, sentencing him to 15 months in prison. Gordon maintained his innocence throughout, insisting the accusations were fabricated.

Upon his release, Gordon vowed to mend his ways. On February 22, 1995, he married Lewis, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Kayla, two years later. To support his family, Gordon juggled two jobs: a night shift as a mailman and day shifts washing cars in Anaheim.

However, the late 1990s brought financial strain and domestic discord. Lewis recounted that Gordon's behavior deteriorated, marked by irritability and suicidal threats. In 2001, she left him, initiating divorce proceedings. Following the trial, Gordon was barred from contacting his ex-wife and daughter.

Desperate to reunite his family, Gordon resorted to drastic measures. In August 2001, he abducted Lewis and their daughter, driving them to Nevada. The ordeal ended with Gordon's arrest after Lewis managed to alert her parents. Convicted of kidnapping, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2002.

Meeting Franc Cano

Paroled in 2010, Gordon was under strict conditions, including wearing an ankle monitor. Seeking normalcy, he reconnected with Ian Pummell, a former supervisor, who offered him work at an auto shop. It was here he met Franc Cano, a young man with a troubled past.

Cano, born on July 22, 1986, in Compton, had faced his own demons. Bullied as a child due to health conditions, Cano's life took a dark turn in 2006 when he was caught molesting his niece. This crime led to a two-year prison sentence, of which he served 16 months.

Despite their age difference, Gordon and Cano formed a close bond. Both struggling with homelessness, they shared Gordon's Toyota 4Runner as a makeshift shelter. Rumors of an intimate relationship circulated, but Gordon dismissed them, claiming they were simply friends.

Their friendship took a dangerous turn in 2010 when they cut off their ankle monitors and fled to Alabama. Though quickly apprehended, they repeated this escape in 2012, enjoying a brief stint in Las Vegas before their capture.

The Unraveling

The chilling tale of Gordon and Cano's crimes began to unravel on April 11, 2014. A woman's body had been discovered at a recycling center in Anaheim, prompting an investigation that linked Gordon and Cano to the murder of Jarrae Nykkole Estepp. Estepp, a 21-year-old sex worker from Oklahoma City, was just one of their victims.

Authorities from Santa Ana and Anaheim quickly connected Estepp's murder to the disappearances of three other women: Josephine Monique Vargas, Martha Anaya, and Kianna Rae Jackson. Investigators found crucial evidence at the scene, including fingerprints on a foam can tied to the area near Gordon's workplace. Analysis of GPS data from their ankle monitors confirmed Gordon and Cano's presence at each crime scene.

During an intense 13-hour interrogation, Gordon confessed to five murders, though he struggled to recall one victim's name. His chilling admissions detailed how he and Cano lured women into Gordon's car, drove them to a secluded lot, sexually assaulted, and then strangled them. Despite the gruesome confessions, the bodies of Vargas, Anaya, and Jackson remain missing.

Trial and Sentencing

The legal proceedings against Gordon began on November 16, 2016. Opting to represent himself, he rejected a plea deal that would spare him the death penalty in exchange for a guilty plea. The prosecution's case was bolstered by DNA evidence, GPS records, and text messages detailing the crimes.

Although Gordon initially pleaded not guilty, he later admitted to the murders, criticizing the parole system for his release and accusing his parole officers of negligence. Despite his attempts to subpoena these officers, they denied any wrongdoing.

On December 15, a jury found Gordon guilty on all counts. Days later, they recommended the death penalty, which the court imposed on February 3, 2017. During sentencing, Gordon expressed remorse, apologizing to the victims' families and condemning Cano for his role.

Conclusion

Steven Dean Gordon now resides on death row at San Quentin State Prison, a grim reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. His story is a haunting testament to the lives lost at his hands and the enduring pain left behind.

Sources

For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page on Steven Dean Gordon.