William Suff

Overview

William Lester Suff, born Bill Lee Suff on August 20, 1950, is an American serial killer currently residing on death row. He gained infamy for the brutal torture and murder of at least thirteen women in Riverside County, California, between 1986 and 1991. His chilling monikers include the "Riverside Prostitute Killer" and the "Lake Elsinore Killer," as many of his victims were found dumped in Lake Elsinore. Suff's criminal history dates back even further, as he and his then-wife brutally murdered their two-month-old daughter in Texas in 1974, for which he served only a fraction of a 70-year sentence.

Quick Facts

• Born: August 20, 1950 (age 74)
• Place of Birth: Torrance, California, U.S.
• Other Names: William Lester Suff, The Riverside Prostitute Killer, The Lake Elsinore Killer
• Convictions:
  • Texas: Murder (1 count)
  • California: First-degree murder with special circumstances (12 counts), Attempted murder (1 count)
• Criminal Penalty: Death penalty on October 26, 1995 (de jure)
• Known Victims: 14, suspected of many more
• Span of Crimes: 1974–1992
• Country: United States
• States: Texas, California
• Date Apprehended: January 9, 1992

Early Crimes

Suff's criminal career began with a harrowing act of violence. In 1974, he and his then-wife, Teryl, were convicted of beating their two-month-old daughter to death. During the trial, Teryl's conviction was later overturned by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals due to insufficient evidence linking her to the crime as either the primary perpetrator or an accomplice. Teryl claimed that Suff was physically abusive towards her during their marriage.

Despite receiving a hefty 70-year sentence, Suff only served ten years before being released on parole in 1984. This early release would foreshadow the horrors that were to come.

Murders

From 1986 to 1991, Suff's gruesome spree left a trail of death and despair. He was ultimately convicted of twelve counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, with police suspecting him of many more. Let’s dive into the chilling details of some of his known victims:

Rhonda Jetmore

On January 10, 1989, 27-year-old Rhonda Jetmore, a sex worker, entered into a transaction with Suff that quickly turned violent. Suff began choking her, but Jetmore fought back, striking him with a flashlight. This brief moment of resistance allowed her to momentarily escape. However, Suff tackled her again, and in a desperate plea for her life, Jetmore shone a light on Suff's glasses, which he had lost in the struggle. As he bent down to retrieve them, she seized the opportunity to flee and flagged down a passing car. Her acquaintance in the car pulled a gun and fired at Suff, allowing her to escape.

Kimberly Lyttle

The body of Kimberly Lyttle, 28, was discovered on June 28, 1989, on the roadside in Lake Elsinore. Autopsy results revealed she had suffered from blunt force trauma and had cigarette burns on her body, indicating a horrific struggle prior to her death. She was covered with a blue bath towel that was later found to contain red, white, and blue fibers matching a sleeping bag in Suff's van.

Christina Leal

On December 13, 1989, Christina Leal, 23, was found strangled and stabbed on a hillside in Quail Valley. Autopsy findings painted a gruesome picture: she had been bound, had numerous stab wounds—including some to her genitals—and even had a lightbulb inserted into her uterus.

Darla Jane Ferguson

Just over a month later, on January 18, 1990, 23-year-old Darla Ferguson was found strangled in Riverside, mere half a mile from where Kimberly Lyttle's body had been discovered. She was positioned in a disturbing manner, her legs propped up and covered with a trash bag, tied at the waist with rope.

Carol Lynn Miller

On February 9, 1990, Carol Miller, 35, was discovered in a grapefruit orchard in Highgrove. She had been smothered, evidenced by torn tissue in her mouth. Five stab wounds were found on her body, and chillingly, a peeled grapefruit was found next to her remains.

Cheryl Coker

Cheryl Coker, 33, was found on November 6, 1990, partially inside a dumpster in Riverside. She had been strangled, possibly with a wire, with such force that it cut into her neck. Post-mortem examination revealed a severed right breast found 30 feet from her body, an indication of Suff's brutality.

Susan Melissa Sternfeld

On December 21, 1990, 27-year-old Susan Sternfeld was found nude and posed near a dumpster in Riverside. The precise details of her murder remain hauntingly vague, but the underlying horror was palpable.

Kathleen Leslie Milne

The remains of Kathleen Milne, also known as Kathy Puckett, 42, were found on January 19, 1991, near Lake Elsinore. She had been asphyxiated, with a white sock stuffed down her throat.

Sherry Ann Latham

On July 4, 1991, Sherry Latham, 37, was discovered nude and face down in Lake Elsinore. Due to decomposition, the method of strangulation could not be definitively determined.

Kelly Marie Hammond

Kelly Hammond, 27, was found strangled in an alley in Corona on August 16, 1991. Her body was posed in a disturbing manner, with bruising indicative of a violent struggle.

Catherine McDonald

Catherine McDonald, 30, the only Black victim linked to Suff, was found on September 13, 1991, in Lake Elsinore. Her body showed signs of being posed post-mortem, and she was four months pregnant at the time of her death. Stab wounds to the neck and compression were ruled the cause of her demise.

Delliah Zamora

On October 30, 1991, 35-year-old Delliah Zamora was found strangled in Glen Avon. Signs indicated she had fought against her attacker, evidenced by fingernail injuries.

Eleanor Casares

Finally, on December 23, 1991, Eleanor Casares, 39, was discovered in an orange grove in Riverside. She had been stabbed and strangled, with post-mortem mutilation evident.

Suspected Murders

While Suff was convicted of the aforementioned murders, law enforcement suspected him of additional crimes. Some of these include:

• Michelle Yvette Gutierrez (found October 29, 1986)
• Charlotte Jean Palmer (found December 10, 1986)
• Linda Ann Ortega (found April 29, 1988)
• Martha Bess Young (found May 2, 1988)
• Diane Mae Talavera (found January 17, 1989)
• Judy "Julie" Lynn Angel (found November 11, 1989)
• Cherie Michelle Payseur (found April 27, 1991)

Cherie Michelle Payseur

Payseur's case is particularly compelling. She was found on April 27, 1991, initially discovered nude on a flower bed. Shoe prints at the scene were believed to be linked to Suff's previous murders. Although evidence of semen was collected, it matched multiple donors, leaving the results inconclusive. Suff was charged with her murder but the jury deadlocked, leading to his acquittal on that count.

Arrest

Suff's reign of terror came to an end on January 9, 1992, during a routine traffic stop. Officers discovered a bloody knife and other items believed to connect him to the murders in his vehicle. At the time of his arrest, Suff was working as a warehouse clerk for Riverside County, having been hired while still on parole from Texas. Ironically, he delivered office furniture to the very investigators who were building a case against him.

Trial

On July 19, 1995, a Riverside County jury found Suff guilty of killing 12 women and attempting to kill another, despite police suspicions of his involvement in up to 22 homicides. He opted not to testify in his defense. During the penalty phase, prosecutors unveiled evidence linking Suff to a 1988 murder in San Bernardino, reinforcing his violent history. On August 17, 1995, the jury reached a verdict after just ten minutes of deliberation, condemning him to death on October 26, 1995.

Suff's initial appeal of his sentence in 2014 was rejected by the California Supreme Court. In 2019, California reversed the death penalty, and Suff was left to spend his days in prison.

In August 2024, a significant development occurred when the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced that Suff was linked to the murder of 19-year-old Cathy Ann Small, whose body was found in South Pasadena in 1986. Investigators are also considering a second suspect in that case.

Victims

Confirmed Victims

Name	Age	Date Found	Outcome and Cause of Death
Cathy Ann Small	19	February 22, 1986	Died; strangled and stabbed
Rhonda Jetmore	27	January 10, 1989	Survived
Kimberly Lyttle	28	June 28, 1989	Died; strangled
Christina Leal	23	December 13, 1989	Died; strangled and stabbed
Darla Jane Ferguson	23	January 18, 1990	Died; strangled
Carol Lynn Miller	35	February 9, 1990	Died; smothered
Cheryl Coker	33	November 6, 1990	Died; strangled
Susan Melissa Sternfeld	27	December 21, 1990	Died; strangled
Kathleen Leslie Milne	42	January 19, 1991	Died; strangled and asphyxiated with a sock
Sherry Ann Latham	37	July 4, 1991	Died; strangled
Kelly Marie Hammond	27	August 16, 1991	Died; strangled and possible opiate intoxication
Catherine McDonald	30	September 13, 1991	Died; stabbed and neck compression
Delliah Zamora	35	October 30, 1991	Died; strangled
Eleanor Casares	39	December 23, 1991	Died; stabbed and strangled

Suspected Victims

Name	Age	Date Found	Outcome and Cause of Death
Michelle Yvette Gutierrez	26	October 29, 1986	Died; unknown
Charlotte Jean Palmer	25	December 10, 1986	Died; possibly smothered
Linda Ann Ortega	37	April 29, 1988	Died; stabbed
Martha Bess Young	27	May 2, 1988	Died; strangled and overdose of amphetamines
Diane Mae Talavera	37	January 17, 1989	Died; strangled
Judy Lynn Angel	36	November 11, 1989	Died; blunt force trauma
Cherie Michelle Payseur	24	April 27, 1991	Died; possible suffocation

Books and TV

William Suff's case has inspired several publications and media portrayals, bringing his horrific crimes to the forefront of public consciousness. One notable book, The Riverside Killer by Christine Keers and Dennis St Pierre, was published in 1996. In 1997, Cat and Mouse - Mind Games with a Serial Killer was released, featuring Suff’s own narrative interspersed with his poetry and photos of his victims.

Suff has also been the subject of various television programs, including Real Detective, which aired on March 9, 2017, featuring dramatic recreations and interviews with lead detectives involved in the case. His story has also been explored in documentaries like Serial Killers Defined, as well as episodes of The New Detectives, Born to Kill?, and Most Evil Killers.

Conclusion

William Suff remains a notorious figure in the annals of American crime, embodying the darkest aspects of human nature. His heinous acts have left an indelible mark on the communities affected, and the ongoing investigations into his suspected victims continue to haunt those still seeking justice.

Sources

• William Suff - Wikipedia
• Elber, Lynn (January 15, 1992). "Man Charged in Two Deaths Lost Custody of Infant" - Associated Press.
• "The Trial of William Lester Suff" - The Californian, March 26, 1995.
• Gorman, Tom (July 20, 1995). "Riverside Man Convicted in Serial Slayings" - Los Angeles Times.
• Austin, Paige (August 13, 2024). "Lake Elsinore Teen's Slaying Tied To Serial Killer" - Patch.com.