Notes on the Farson Case  [ new notes ]

27 August - Received call from Shadowman Films from Office manager regarding tapes with actual murder scenes; went over that afternoon to review tapes.  Saw that the film was authentic and asked for and received original.  Copy for Shadowman was made prior to turnover.

28 August - Showed film to Forensics, Coroner and Homicide departments; all agreed as to its authenticity.  Contacted Ed, who in turn contacted Sheriff Corona. (I got some flak from Ed and Homicide about allowing Shadowman to make copies of film.  So what!  It's Shadowman's film!)

29 August - Seconded to ongoing investigation to murders in Orange County; Joint Task Force created; Lieutenant Barney Mendoza OCSD head of task force.  JTF located in South Operations building, Aliso Viejo. 

30 August - Interviews conducted with Farson's family.  Grandfather has since left for parts unknown (Canada?  UK?)  Grandmother is holding back information.  I asked about Ally's siblings (and where the hell are they?) and Grandma was flat out lying in her responses about Ally Farson's three years in Ireland (why was she there and for what?)  And, what in the hell is Grandma's relationship to Ally?  In the film, Ally refers to her as her mother and grandmother!  What is she? 

In any case, I had to threaten her with hampering an investigation, giving false information to a peace officer, etc. to get my information.  Talked to other family members (they're all a bunch of "loonies!")

31 August - 9 September - It's official: Ally Farson is declared a fugitive and is possibly in the UK.  Spoke to the Yard and they're working with Customs and Immigration there to try to locate her.  (As a film student, she'd know about makeup and such, wouldn't she)?  Interviews continue with witnesses. 

11 September - Happy Birthday to me!  HA! Anyhow, I'm wondering if there was someone else involved in all of these murders!  I just have a gut feeling that something's not right with "this picture".  (That's punny!)

12 -16 September - Was Checking around the area for "John Doe", murder victim #1.  Or alleged murder victim!  Still haven't found his remains.  Had a false alarm today.  A junkie's body was found in the bushes around Heisler Park in Laguna Beach.  LBPD is investigating, but the corpse had a bullet hole in him.  Farson doesn't use firearms.

16-22 September - Checked the film from the security cameras at the bank.  Had to threaten them with a subpoena do see it, though.  They wanted to keep it for their own "investigation!"  Yeah, right!

Up on the carpet with Ed, LAPD Police Chief, and Sheriff-Coroner Orange County.  To say that they're upset with me is an understatement!  The Orange County Board of Supervisors apparently is getting the heat from citizens over these murders (My God, like these murders could've been prevented!)  Anyhow, the COP threatened to fire me if I didn't "do my police work in a proper manner!" I then informed that pompous SOB that I would conduct this investigation any way I saw fit, and told him I'd turn in my badge and resign right here and now, because I really don't need this job (nor want it!)  Calmer thinking prevailed (thank you, Ed!)  And it was requested that I don't do anything to embarrass the OC Sheriff's Department while I'm in the course of conducting this investigation.  Fine!

More info from London.  Three murders!  All done with a blunt blow to the back of the head (Farson's MO) Copycat killings?  God, I hope not!

(Ed said school children in London have started a jump rope song similar to the one about Lizzy Borden.  Jeez and I thought only us Yanks were the ones with the sick sense of humor!)

I completed a chronology of events involving Ally (Wow!  I'm on first name basis with her!) for Ed and the JTF.  My God, what a very unhappy, sad and lonely lady!  Only once did anyone have anything kind to say about her (Sturka).  Almost everyone disliked her (even her immediate family; except of course Mom/Grandma) Not that I feel that's a reason for her to do what she did, though.  Having an unhappy childhood is an excuse to do such things.  She crossed the line!  I'm going to get her for it!

Talked to my sister the Sister about what's been going on.  The stress is starting to get to me.  I don't like shrinks, but sis told me that I've got a bad case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (whatever that is) and that I should take some time off.  As much as I hate doing this work, at least I'm conscientious, so that isn't going to happen.   She feels sorry for Ally.  Of course, being a member of the clergy, she would.

Identification has verified prints at the murder scenes are, in fact, Ally's.  But who is John Doe?  Why can't we find any different prints?

23 September - 5 October  - Extra copies of the film have been made, and all the experts are reviewing it.  It is extremely rare to have a female serial killer, and Farson has really shaken up everyone.  More questions have arisen about why she did it. 

I made a lot of reporters angry when I was asked about what constituted Ally having an "Acute Personality Disorder?"  I told them that it meant that she was "Fucked Up" and continued walking.  Ed was livid, and so were all the other bigwigs.  The hell with them!  I'm tired of criminals being psychoanalyzed! 

We found the vehicle Ally was driving.  Man, oh man!  I'd love to have one!  It's a fire engine Red Lincoln Navigator SUV.  The vehicle was dusted for prints, and several specimens of hair, blood and the like were found.  (Possibly from her victims)  And the front bumper had blood from victim #7 on it, so it's a definite that this is the vehicle she used.  It's being stored in the lower parking level at Flower Street. 

More interesting news!  The Farson family is loaded!  Ally went into the Eldorado Bank (appropriately named) and withdrew $400,000 in cash on 18 July!  (God, what I'd do with $40,000 cash right now!)  The good news is, someone having that much American currency with them in the UK and Europe is bound to be spotted sooner or later.  The bad news is, Ally won't be using ATM or Credit cards to purchase anything.  What a bummer.  That's how I caught the Sunset Slasher.  Another downside to all of this is that Ally's brother and sister are (possibly) living in the UK.  The Yard hasn't been able to locate their whereabouts, and Ally's Mom/Grandma's family is being very evasive with the authorities (God, this is one strange family; on both sides!)  

Interpol is checking all points of entry throughout Europe.  (What about Eastern Europe? I read somewhere that the authorities over there are less likely to get involved).  Well see what happens.  Also, Bob Farson (he's taken off to points unknown, too!) said something about buying his own island in the Caribbean.  Could this be possible?  How do we check that?

6 October - 18 October   - Did some more research on Ally. The homicide investigation is pretty much on the back burner, so to speak (still a question, though, as to whether Ally acted alone).  I got a search warrant for the Farson residence, and found all of Ally's personal items such as books, letters, and diaries (yes, she kept diaries! Who the hell does that anymore)?  Nothing recent, but it was very insightful.  The rage she felt (and still feels) towards people!  It gave me a terrible nightmare, too!  I'll have to tell someone about it sometime.  It's pretty disturbing. 

One thing I noticed throughout this investigation into Ally's past: She is a very intelligent lady!  I really have a sinking feeling that she won't be easy to catch, either.

Part of the search at the Farson residence was for the possibilities of finding any clues in regards to John Doe.  Nothing found, although there was some digging done.  Mrs. Farson was not pleased!  (Who the hell is she? That still bugs me!)

18 October - 20 October - Spoke with my old shooting buddies, Corporal Curt Gordon, RCMP in Vancouver.  We're in contact with the Canadian authorities (lots of room to hide there!) but I hate red tape, so Gordo was kind enough to do some searching about.  I have a suspicion that Ally would probably prefer a large city to hide in.  Call it "gut instinct", if you will.  Gordo didn't come up with anything, but he did find out something significant: Ally applied to the British Columbia Film School last year!  She wasn't accepted because she applied too late, but Gordo and I both agreed that maybe things might have turned out differently if she'd been accepted! 

Spoke to USC.  Their film department has been very cooperative (of course, our keeping their involvement concerning Ally low key helps!)  The Professor who taught Ally said she was a very enthusiastic student.  And, funny enough, all of her peers in her classes liked her.  Or, at least, they got along with her since she was described as "kind of shy and quiet but very polite."  All agreed that she was very excited about her film project.  (I'm sure they'll find out how excited she was if and when Shadowman releases the documentary!)

Well, it's been a very hectic 3 months.  I spoke to my sister the Sister, and I agree with her.  I guess it's time to throw in the towel and quit.  I've hated this line of work since day one.  I told her that once the case is finished, I'm out of here!  I wonder if Mark Fuhrman knows of any property up for sale in Idaho?  Oh, well.