OFFENSE: LOCATION:
CPC 187 Murder 23153
Camino del Avion, Dana Point
VICTIM: DATE:
Moss, Katie 08-24-81
Brennan, Kristin 03-18-80 07-11-99
Martin, Rex 06-07-70
Details of Incident:
On Sunday, 07-11-99, at approximately 2240 hours, I was called at home by Lieutenant Townsend and told to respond to 23153 Camino Del Avion, Dana Point, regarding a triple murder. I arrived at the
scene at approximately 2320 hours.
Upon arrival, I met with my partner Investigator B. Peterson. SERGEANT S. Richmond at the scene briefed us. He said that on 07-11-99, at
approximately 2124 hours Deputies responded to a call that bodies had been found at the Monarch Beach Market, 23153 Camino del Avion, Dana Point. Upon arrival they found one female victim lying on the
ground by the pay phones in front of the market. The victim, later identified as Katie Moss, was pronounced dead at the scene. A man who had been attempting CPR on the victim, Frank Church,
stated that he had been attempting CPR for 10 minutes, which would put the time of the murder at about 2110 hours. Sgt. Richmond also said that two more bodies were found in the back of the building in
the alley.
Going through the store, Sgt. Richmond came out back into the alley, where the bodies of victims Kristin Brennan and Rex Martin were found. Stand by Kristin Brennan's
body was her boyfriend, Mark Miezwa. Miezwa was led away from Brennan's body. Brennan had been strangled, while Martin had been bludgeoned in the head with a blunt object, possibly a
hammer. Martin's shirt had been removed, and the word "ARSON" had been carved across his shoulders.
I assigned Investigator W. Desmond to handle the crime scene while Investigator
Peterson and I conducted interviews. Investigators Smith, Morris, Sanchez and Deputies Rivera, Sandoval and Thomas also interviewed witnesses and canvassed the area. Deputy Coroner Hurkos handled
the first body at the scene. Forensic Specialist J. Currie from Identification Bureau and Forensic Scientist H. Cash from Forensics responded for photographs and collection of evidence. Refer to
their reports for details.
On 07-12-99, at approximately 0020 hours, Investigator Peterson and I interviewed in the Sheriff's Command Post Mark A. Miezwa. He said that he was the boyfriend
of Kristin Brennan. Refer to the interview report for details.
On 07-12-99, at approximately 0052 hours, Investigator Peterson and I interviewed William Rogers in the Sheriff's
Command Post. He said that he was working as cashier in the store at the time of the incidents, and that he was the one who called 911 to report a disturbance. Refer to the interview report for
details.
On 07-12-99, at approximately 0110 hours, Investigator Peterson and I interviewed Theresa Winters in the Sheriff's Command Post. She said that she had just rented a video from the
Blockbusters Video store next to the market, and had been sitting in her car in front of the store during the time of the incident. Refer to the interview report for details.
On 07-12-99,
at approximately 0209 hours, Deputies Sandoval and Rivera reported to me that the man who had been performing CPR on victim Moss had left the area. Deputy Sandoval informed me that the man, Frank
Church, had told him that he was a roving security guard who patrolled the parking area of the strip mall. Because of the excitement and confusion in the early stages of the investigation, neither
Sandoval, nor the other Deputies, had seen Church leave the area. An attempt was made to contact Church's company, but we were unsuccessful in doing so.
On 07-12-99, at approximately 1000
hours, Investigator Galvez conducted a canvass of the shops in the Monarch Beach strip mall. Refer to the follow-up report for details.
On 07-12-99, at approximately 0900 hours, I attended the
autopsies of Katie Moss, Kristin Brennan and Rex Martin. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Liebowitz performed the autopsies. Forensic Specialist K. Martin and Forensic Scientist C. Harper were also at
all three autopsies for photographs and collection of evidence.
Dr. Liebowitz performed Katie Moss' autopsy first (C# 99-0066-AR). Dr. Liebowitz said the cause of death was asphyxiation due to blood
and air being cut off by means of a cord wrapped around the throat. Refer to the Coroner's report for further details.
Dr. Liebowitz performed Kristin Brennan's autopsy at approximately 1035 hours
(C# 99-00663-AR). Dr. Liebowitz said the cause of death was due to asphyxiation due to strangulation. Refer to the Coroner's report for further details.
Dr. Liebowitz performed Rex
Martin's autopsy at approximately 1120 hours (C# 99-00668-AR). Dr. Liebowitz said the cause of death was due to severe trauma to the back of the head caused by a blunt object. Refer to the
Coroner's report for further details.
On 07-14-99, at approximately 0900 hours, Investigator Peterson and I conducted an interview at South Investigations with Robert Horner. He is the boyfriend of
victim Katie Moss, and had left the scene prior to the arrival of Deputies on the night of 07-11-99. Refer to interview report for details.
On 07-14-99, at various hours throughout the day,
Investigator Peterson and I conducted interviews with family member of the decedents Katie Moss and Kristin Brennan. Refer to the interview reports for details.
On 07-17-99, at approximately 1000
hours, all Investigators involved in this case met to compare notes. It was decided that the murder of Carol Hilliard, which took place the week before in a clothing store, might be related to the three
recent deaths. See DR# 99-3825 for details.
