Catherine McDonald, a 30-year-old Black woman from Riverside, California, was identified in September 1991 as the seventeenth known victim in a chilling series of murders attributed to a serial killer operating in the region. Her body was discovered at a remote construction site in Lake Elsinore, approximately 70 miles east of Los Angeles. Authorities noted that Catherine McDonald fit the general profile of the killer's previous victims—women with histories of drug use and/or
prostitution—though her ethnicity marked a departure from earlier patterns, as prior victims had been white or Hispanic. This deviation was considered significant by investigators and broadened the scope of their inquiry.
Catherine McDonald had recently relocated to Riverside from Los Angeles and had prior contact with law enforcement, though specific details of her arrest record were not disclosed. Her identity was confirmed through a statewide fingerprinting system. The discovery of her body came amid a growing sense of urgency in the investigation, prompting the Riverside County Sheriff's Department to expand its task force. The team, which had previously consisted of four investigators, was increased to twelve in response to a surge of public tips and national attention, including a televised profile of the case.
The murders were eventually linked to William Lester Suff, a convicted serial killer known as the 'Riverside Prostitute Killer' or the 'Lake Elsinore Killer.' Suff had a history of violent crimes and was paroled in 1984 after serving time for the death of his infant daughter. Between 1986 and 1991, he is believed to have murdered at least 13 women, with some estimates suggesting the number could be higher. His victims, including 30-year-old Black woman Catherine McDonald, were often found in remote or industrial areas, and many had been sexually assaulted, mutilated, or strangled. Suff was arrested in 1992 and later sentenced to death in 1995. His crimes left a lasting impact on the Riverside community and remain among the most disturbing serial murder cases in California history.
