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"So I ran down to the beach lookin' for her. Schlesinger asked. According to the affidavit, Kevin Brown volunteered to take a lie detector test. Several swabs were taken from inside Claire during the autopsy. The Torrey Pines Murders: A Collection of True Crime - Goodreads They did a really good job of trying, but guess what I am living, breathing and right here. "Absolutely," Alt said. Kevin Brown retired from the San Diego Police Department in 2002. After two murders at California's Torrey Pines State Beach, the police were confronted. He went out he was cleaned up, he'd shaved, he'd showered, looked nice and said, 'I have things to do,'" said Rebecca Brown. "His watch was there. She had been beaten and strangled and also had one breast slashed. On Aug. 12, 1978, 15-year-old Barbara Nantais, pictured, and her boyfriend, Jim Alt, decided to go camping and surfing at the beach. "We grew up looking for treasures and bringing her mom pretty things home from the ocean. One of the suspect worked for the San Diego police. "I was in love with her the minute I saw her.". "And when they showed him a picture of Claire Hough what did he say? It's a place that's frequented daily by hundreds of tourists from around the world, and locals who use the park and beach as an extension of their backyard to hike, surf, bike, and swim. "We've learned to live with her death. Kevin Brown had no criminal past and was described by those who knew him as a mild mannered, "Nervous Nelly." But the family of Barbara Nantais, the first victim in this case, still has as many questions about her murder as they did in 1978. Rebecca Brown said: 'The police have hounded my husband all year, and he ended up having a nervous breakdown and killed himself. Did he make any secret of it?" "What did he say?" The Torrey Pines beach killings are two of the most hideous, savage murders in California history, made seemingly worse by the beautiful location at which they took place. Heres why the shortage is a sign of our harsh climate reality, Airline delays and cancellations are bad. "He said, 'I'm Wally Wheeler. "Everything that was able to be airborne could have gone and touched that swab.". Crime Who Killed 14-Year-Old Claire Hough, Whose Mutilated Body Was Found on Calif. Beach in 1984? The cases were reopened, and investigators were hoping advanced DNA technology would change the course of things. According to the police affidavits and search warrants, Kevin Brown had also made several incriminating statements during the investigation. "Did he say anything to you?" "But he did have friends that would go with him to either a movie or a strip club, I believe.". Wheelers role only became more curious after police encouraged Claires parents to keep in touch with him, and he sent them a letter, Claires father Sam Hough recalls in an exclusive clip from the show. Schlesinger asked. The Browns had led a quiet life revolving around church, travel, and their pets before that visit by investigators in January of 2014. For me, I think of both Barbara Nantais and Claire Hough when I hike past Lifeguard Towers 5 and 7 and head up the cliffs for the majestic views of this peaceful place. Victim's Sister Learns of Person of Interest in 1978 Cold Case Murder Afterwards, Alt said several lead investigators as well as SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman were at the meeting and he, along with Thall and Selga, felt a sense of hope and progress for the first time in a long time. Never. SAN DIEGO Heartbroken over the . He had been questioned several times over the death, Channel 10 News reported, and preparations were being made to take him into custody. He was briefly investigated, but ruled out as a suspect because his injuries had been so severe and life threatening. They were the all-American couple. "I told her father and mother, you know, that we would stay put. We had even more questions than answers since the police would not initially explain a connection between Tatro and Brown. Jim Alt only had eyes for 15-year-old Barbara Nantais. Schlesinger asked. For more on this case, watch the People Magazine Investigates episode Blood in the Sand on Mon., Jan. 8, at 10 p.m. His daughter said he had mental problems and had not been taking his medication, according to the newspaper. SAN DIEGO DNA evidence and an FBI report are shedding light on the unsolved murder of a teenage girl at Torrey Pines State Beach in 1978. "Adult stuff. But Forguson says that sometimes certain photographers would make arrangements for private sessions that were racier. 13:04 EDT 27 Oct 2014. The most lucrative majors? The brutal 1984 killing of a teenager at Torrey Pines State Beach has apparently been solved through DNA and an extensive investigation, the San Diego Police Department announced Thursday. A lifeguard reported a swimmer in distress at around 11:40 a.m. near towers five . "A lot," he replied. On Aug. 13, 1978, Alt - 17 years old at the time - and his girlfriend, Barbara Nantais, 15, were sleeping on the sand at Torrey Pines State Beach when they were attacked by an unknown suspect. The 18 best stores to find Midcentury Modern furniture in L.A. You know that.' "48 Hours" correspondent Richard Schlesinger asked. Schlesinger asked. "'Jim, you were trying to be alone with Barbara is probably what every red-blooded American boy dreams of. As for Barbara Nantais' murder, both Tatro and Brown had alibis. News report: Homicide officers say what started out as an evening with friends turned out to be a night of death. Brown had been a criminalist in the San Diego Police Department lab before retiring in 2002. This is a man who found a face that was so mutilated that the police didnt think we should see it.. Barbara Nantais lived near Joe DeAngelo's house in Long Beach Serial Killer Cold Case Torrey Pines Share Watch on Kevin Brown: Widow says husband vindicated with $6 million judgement Share Watch on By February 2013, San Diego police had announced that they had "re-opened" the cases and were looking at DNA to see if they could finally solve these crimes. "The problem though, with this case is, seems to me that the allegation is that this isn't sweat or spit. "I was mad that it happened to Claire and we weren't informed," said an emotional Sue Nantais. "It was like somebody took a sledgehammer and hit me in the head because we didn't even know that the kids were down there. Police were unable to find a connection between Ronald Tatro and Kevin Brown. "And I'm hoping the legal system will help set things right.". We are pretty sure that Ronald Tatro was responsible. Attorneys Gene Iredale and Gretchen Von Helms represent the Browns. "He had done some thinking and that he now did recall having met someone named Claire in the 1980s and possibly having sex with her," said Vlahos. "I would like a viable suspect," Judy Nantais said. But police followed other clues as well. 'They kept hounding him on something he didnt do. Blood on Claire's jeans was linked to a convicted rapist named Ronald Tatro. Nantais was sleeping on the beach on August 13, 1978, with her boyfriend, 17-year-old Jim Alt, when the . Barbara had been beaten, sexually assaulted, strangled and one of her breasts had been mutilated. Nantais was found beaten and strangled to death on the shores of Torrey Pines State Beach on the morning of August 13, 1978. She was like Barbara Nantais, a year younger -- just 14, smart and spirited and she loved the beach. Why would Ronald Tatro commit this murder with someone else? We are no longer accepting comments on this article. For her parents and the people who knew her, Claire Hough will always be remembered as smart, vibrant, spirited, loving, and a defender of the wronged. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. In August 1978, Tatro was was serving time in prison for kidnapping and raping a young woman in Arkansas. "We either have -- serial killer or a repeat performance by the person that probably did the first case," said Ybarrondo. This fragile environment is the home of our nation's rarest pine tree - Pinus torreyana. Here, she reflects on covering the haunting 1978 and 1984 cold case murders of Barbara Nantais and Claire Hough. But nothing had ever materialized. This is crazy," Rebecca Brown said. "Just the sadness at losing this child that you loved," Judy Nantais said. But Kevin Brown also said he may have met someone named Claire in the 80s, and that he might have had sex with her. Heading into the meeting, Nantais sister echoed Alts frustration. "Most likely, Kevin's semen standard was in that lab and several analysts may have even had it. Last month, San Diego. Rebecca describes Kevin as gentle, soft spoken, nervous, shy, and one of the "good guys.". The other DNA hit, a microscopic amount found on a vaginal swab, was linked to a man named Kevin Brown. For the family and friends of the victims, they are left with many questions. The Torrey Pines beach killings are two of the most hideous, savage murders in California history, made seemingly worse by the beautiful location at which they took place. As soon as they heard about their daughter's death, Sam and Penny Hough went to Torrey Pines State Beach. In 2013, SDPD Lt. Ernie Herbert told NBC 7 Nantais case was being reviewed, as there had been huge advances in DNA technology. Its something that hasnt left me. It comes back every year for me, Selga told NBC 7. But there was also another looming question: Could cross contamination in the lab explain how Kevin Brown's DNA got on Claire Hough's autopsy swab? Selga and his girlfriend decided to sleep in the station wagon and Alt and Barbara went down to the beach for some privacy. Alt has told NBC 7 that to this day, the murder haunts him. Deceased ex-SDPD criminalist named suspect in girl's murder in 1984 - 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego, Retired SDPD criminalist suspected in '84 murder Page 2 of 2 | UTSanDiego.com, Were teens mutilated by same killer? Please enter valid email address to continue. "When we uncovered the body, it was -- covered with sand," Ybarrondo told Schlesinger as they walked along the beach where Barbara's body was found. And also an arrest for Brown would be forthcoming. Kevin Brown had been married for over 20 years to Rebecca Brown when police came knocking. Today, Alt lives with depression and post-traumatic stress caused by the incident. Once this tree covered a larger area. "It's devastating," he replied. Can DNA help solve these cases? Questions echo throughout these cases. The San Diego Police Department refused "48 Hours"' request for an interview. In both the 1978 and 1984 killings, the victim was strangled, sand was pushed into her mouth, and one of her breasts was mutilated, according to news accounts of the two crimes. The girl's parents raised the alarm about Wheeler, but police quickly determined that he had nothing to do with Claire's slaying. Soon after, Barbara's parents were notified. "To us, what's important is what Claire was, and what she meant to us and to the people around her," said Sam Hough. The comments below have not been moderated, By Schlesinger asked Selga. Wally Wheeler, the beachcomber who had found Claire's body, started writing long, odd letters to her parents. "I think that I just yelled at some people to call the police.". Torrey Pines Murders: A collection of True Crime - Goodreads "I was like, 'Finally Somebody's really looking into this,'" she said. Vlahos explained. "When you're the mom, you just carry that. The detectives showed Kevin Brown a picture of Ronald Tatro, and asked if he knew him. "Before my eyes are open I want to know where I'm at.". 'People Magazine Investigates' Examines How Authorities Cracked 1991 Cold Case Murder of Pa. And he said, they just said, 'You know you killed her and you may as well confess.' ", The Nantais family remembers Barbara as beautiful, popular, smart, stubborn and someone who had a "mind of her own.". "The parking lot was filled with people. To this day, there is suspicion it was a suicide. NBC 7 reached out to Lt. Del Toro for comment, but we have not yet heard back. Rebecca Brown replied. ", Ex-Maryland police chief gets multiple life sentences in "revenge fires" case, Why many South Koreans just found themselves a year or two younger, "48 Hours" producer Cindy Cesare on Torrey Pines State Beach, Drugs rain down on countryside after fighter jet intercepts plane, Missing Florida children found abandoned at Wisconsin park; 2 arrested, NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson's in-laws and their grandson found dead, 5 deputies in alleged violent episode against 2 Black men fired or quit, "re-opened" the cases and were looking at DNA. Although police are sure that they have identified the killers, they are still asking anyone with information to contact the homicide unit or San Diego County Crime Stoppers (888 580-8477). But by mid-2014, the stress of the investigation -- which was dragging on -- was making Kevin. The police encouraged Claire's parents to keep communicating with Wheeler, thinking he might confess or at least give them some useful information. But Claire Hough's parents had their own suspect in mind. Lawyers for Rebecca Brown and Kevin Brown contend the San Diego Police Department's case is built on rumors and misinterpretations. That's why it was shocking when I first learned in 2012 about the cold cases of two young women who were brutally murdered at Torrey Pines State Beach; 15-year-old Barbara Nantais near life. Listen Now Episode Info Ronald Tatros MURDERED: Barbara Nantais & Claire Hough Episode Summary In the dreamy summers of southern California, two murders in happen within yards of each other, but a decade apart. "He's absolving you in a way. "I didn't want to see him. The teenagers killer was never found and, to this day, the murder remains unsolved. But perhaps most chilling, like Barbara's, Claire's breast had also been mutilated. "I think Kevin was doing that same thing," said Durina. "Did he brag about going to the strip clubs? My Favorite Murder - 157 - Live at the Civic Theatre in San Diego Six years later, Claire Hough's loved ones faced the same pain that originated in the same place. "Take care of my girl, OK? [[320381531, C]] In the years after Barbara Nantais' murder, her family struggled with the overwhelming loss and pain. "the reality of what happened to her is so hard," Sue Nantais said to her mother, Judy, at Barbara's graveside. "It was a well-known case and that photograph that they showed him had been one that had been in the newspaper," Iredale replied. Schlesinger asked. "Kevin did his own thing," Forguson explained. 2016 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. And at 14, she had the foresight to leave a will telling her family and friends that she loved them and not to be sad. I wish I could list all the wonderful things you've done, but everyone would fall asleep. Nantais and some friends had been. Golf Courses | Parks & Recreation - City of San Diego Official Website "And he said, 'I tried telling them I don't know what they're talking about. Samuel and Penelope Hough's suspicions fell on Wallace Howard Wheeler, the man who found the 14-year-old's mutilated body on the beach and called police. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Schlesinger asked. Were two teens killed in 1978 and 1984 mutilated by the same killer? 48 Hours investigates the murders of 2 teen girls on the same California beach six years apart. You can bully him. One of her nipples was cut open and sand was crammed into her mouth. Gretchen Von Helms argues investigators had tunnel vision and interpreted everything Kevin Brown said as evidence of his guilt. SAN DIEGO A forensic DNA expert testified Tuesday in San Diego federal court that sperm cells found on evidence in the 1984 murder of a teenage girl at Torrey Pines State Beach were the. Exclusive: EAR/ONS claims to be the Torrey Pines Killer? "This is a man who didn't have a mean bone in his body.". Schlesinger asked. "So she'd been sort of mutilated," said Schlesinger. As police were preparing to arrest Brown, he was found dead. At the time of Claire Hough's murder, Kevin Brown was a bachelor in his 30s and had a randy reputation at the crime lab. State Police Arrest Four Suspects Involved In Wicomico Co. Murder True Crime With Raven | Torrey Pines Beach Murders | Unsolved Murder 'People Magazine Investigates:' Who Killed A Young Couple Sleeping on a Calif. Beach in 2004? Was there still a serial killer on the loose. She was in my arms. "Early on, I don't think he kept it a secret," Stam said. Before leaving, Ralph Nantais took Jim Alt aside. "he would open the car door for me. Schlesinger pressed. All rights reserved, Construction worker trapped in trench at beachside La Jolla home, rescue underway, Helen Woodward is waiving adoption fees for military families through July 4, NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson's in-laws and nephew found dead in apparent murder-suicide, Poway man accused of hiding mom's death for 33 years, stealing nearly $1M in benefits, Baja California Attorney General Employee Arrested in San Diego on Drug Trafficking Charges, San Diego County declares state of emergency over cross-border water pollution. And his cell phone was there. It didn't take long to find a promising suspect. "They immediately think the -- the suspicious, guilty version of that versus, 'Oh, my God. And finally, did Kevin Brown really murder Claire Hough? For more than 30 years, police sought the killer of 14-year-old Claire Hough, whose mutilated body was found by a homeless man in 1984 on a stretch of Torrey Pines State Beach near San Diego. Today, the Houghs would rather not focus on the details of their daughter's murder. Judy Nantais said. He failed. Coastal erosion from the adjacent Torrey Pines State Reserve makes for a picturesque landscape. 40 Years Later: Teen Strangled, Killed at Torrey Pines State Beach in Barbara Nantais had four siblings; older sisters Lorraine and Sue and younger brother Tom. Blood, all over his blonde hair," said Selga. Kevin Brown Case: Widow Gets $6 Million from Police - People.com I had so many questions about these cases and the young women, not just as a journalist, but as someone who found Torrey Pines a place of beauty, not gore. "God gave her to me to keep me humble, and it worked.". "This was a violent, sadistic, choking killing," she continued. "You still do that?" LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Torrey Pines Beach and State Park is arguably one of the most breathtaking places in San Diego perhaps even all of California. Barbara Nantais and Jim Alt had been introduced by Barbara's sister, Sue. The couple met in 1992 through the old-school version of online dating: the classifieds. ET) on Investigation Discovery. "Whenever he got confronted, he got very nervous and very upset," Durina said. "They didn't tell him where or how they found it. Schlesinger asked. But, as time has failed to heal the wounds torn into families by these horrific events, it now seems as th .more Get A Copy Amazon Stores Kindle Edition, 146 pages But that still didn't answer the most important questions for the community and the victims in this case.