I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/16/CM104175.DTL) is an in-depth article about the investigation into the murder of Lester Garnier, who was a San Francisco police officer. I forgot about the case until I watched the story on Echoes of Fear's UM site. (I highly recommend it, by the way.)

The article is a few years old but it has great info and is a good read.

That was an interesting read, thanks for that link, very indepth.

The name Lester Garnier didn't ring a bell until I realized that it was the same cop who was found shot to death in a parking lot in 1988. I actually remember seeing that segment in 1990, but for a long time I was unable to recall the name of the victim. Thanks to the article, I now remember the name.

Unfortunately, the segment has never been rerun on Lifetime.

Unfortunately, the segment has never been rerun on Lifetime.

I've noticed that with a lot of segments. I hate it. :mad:

The name Lester Garnier didn't ring a bell until I realized that it was the same cop who was found shot to death in a parking lot in 1988. I actually remember seeing that segment in 1990, but for a long time I was unable to recall the name of the victim. Thanks to the article, I now remember the name.

Unfortunately, the segment has never been rerun on Lifetime.

Same here. I had never seen that name in this forum before and it didn't click until I started reading that very detailed article.

I didn't realize Echoes of Fear had non-Lifetime segments, especially ones Lifetime does not run. Kudos to Echoes and crystaldawn and anyone else responsible. I registered over there but have not checked out any of the video files, assuming they were oft-repeated segments I would have seen recently.

Thanks. Not only are there some non-Lifetime segments on there but I believe "Echoes of Fear" is working on adding some segments from the pre-Stack specials. A real treat for all UM fans since to my knowledge they haven't aired since '87. Of course it isn't the same since RS doesn't host them but there are some good stories and they have that old, grainy look that we all seem to prefer.

You know, I had never seen this case until I watched a clip of it (on the same site) a few nights ago. Thanks for posting the link to the article.

Thanks. Not only are there some non-Lifetime segments on there but I believe "Echoes of Fear" is working on adding some segments from the pre-Stack specials. A real treat for all UM fans since to my knowledge they haven't aired since '87. Of course it isn't the same since RS doesn't host them but there are some good stories and they have that old, grainy look that we all seem to prefer.

:clap:

I just watched it for the first time. It is sad that it remains unsolved.

This is an update from the WCPD on June 3, 2008.

http://www.walnut-creek.org/citygov/departments/police/pressrelease.asp

PRESS RELEASE

On July 11, 1988, 30-year old Lester GARNIER, an off-duty San Francisco Police Officer, was found shot to death while sitting in his 1984 blue Chevrolet Corvette, which was in the parking lot of a downtown Walnut Creek store at 1295 South Main Street. The weapon used was an AMT 380 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

A fingerprint found at the homicide scene has now been identified. New technology has resulted in the fingerprint being identified as belonging to Catherine KUNTZ, date of birth May 24, 1964.

We are now asking for the public’s assistance in providing additional information regarding Catherine KUNTZ. If you knew Catherine KUNTZ, or had any interaction with her or any of her associates we encourage you to call the toll free number: 1-925-943-5844.

Catherine KUNTZ is originally from Scotland and has a noticeable Scottish accent. KUNTZ is tall, thin and has blond hair.
During the late 1980’s, Catherine KUNTZ lived in apartments in Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Alameda, California. KUNTZ was also known to frequent the Oakland area.
KUNTZ was a known user of "crack cocaine."
In 1990, Catherine KUNTZ moved to Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1991, Catherine KUNTZ was arrested in Norfolk, Virginia for conspiracy to commit murder.
Most recently, Catherine KUNTZ lived in various cities in the state of Florida.
Catherine KUNTZ has also used the last names of "OVEREND" and "WISE." Additionally, Catherine KUNTZ has used the nickname "Scotty."

The City and County of San Francisco has offered a reward of $250,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Officer Lester GARNIER.

This is an update from the WCPD on June 3, 2008.

http://www.walnut-creek.org/citygov/departments/police/pressrelease.asp

PRESS RELEASE

On July 11, 1988, 30-year old Lester GARNIER, an off-duty San Francisco Police Officer, was found shot to death while sitting in his 1984 blue Chevrolet Corvette, which was in the parking lot of a downtown Walnut Creek store at 1295 South Main Street. The weapon used was an AMT 380 caliber semi-automatic pistol.

A fingerprint found at the homicide scene has now been identified. New technology has resulted in the fingerprint being identified as belonging to Catherine KUNTZ, date of birth May 24, 1964.

We are now asking for the public’s assistance in providing additional information regarding Catherine KUNTZ. If you knew Catherine KUNTZ, or had any interaction with her or any of her associates we encourage you to call the toll free number: 1-925-943-5844.

Catherine KUNTZ is originally from Scotland and has a noticeable Scottish accent. KUNTZ is tall, thin and has blond hair.
During the late 1980’s, Catherine KUNTZ lived in apartments in Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Alameda, California. KUNTZ was also known to frequent the Oakland area.
KUNTZ was a known user of "crack cocaine."
In 1990, Catherine KUNTZ moved to Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1991, Catherine KUNTZ was arrested in Norfolk, Virginia for conspiracy to commit murder.
Most recently, Catherine KUNTZ lived in various cities in the state of Florida.
Catherine KUNTZ has also used the last names of "OVEREND" and "WISE." Additionally, Catherine KUNTZ has used the nickname "Scotty."

The City and County of San Francisco has offered a reward of $250,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Officer Lester GARNIER.

This lady certainly has a colorful history but one thing that bugs me about her is : what motive would she have for killing a cop if she was crack user who engaged in a bit of prostitution ........ unless she maybe she was with other parties who wanted Lester "bumped off"....

This lady certainly has a colorful history but one thing that bugs me about her is : what motive would she have for killing a cop if she was crack user who engaged in a bit of prostitution .......

I think that would be rather obvious. Garnier worked vice. He arrested prostitutes. And probably people with drugs in their possession.

I think I kinda remember this case. I think from that segment, wasn't there a witness that spotted two women walking away from Garnier's car? I wonder if one of those women might have been her. I may have my cases mixed up but that car if anything always stuck out to me from that episode.

Somehow I missed this update that was posted here back in 2010. The info hasn't been added to the UM wikia and I'm afraid to edit it myself because I always goof it up.

Here's some photos of the suspect:

http://www.walnut-creek.org/images/depts/Police/Kuntz_1988.jpg
Kuntz in 1988

http://www.walnut-creek.org/images/depts/Police/Kuntz_1991.jpg
Kuntz in 1991

http://www.walnut-creek.org/images/depts/Police/Kuntz_recent.jpg
this one was titled "recent" without an actual date

I think I kinda remember this case. I think from that segment, wasn't there a witness that spotted two women walking away from Garnier's car? I wonder if one of those women might have been her. I may have my cases mixed up but that car if anything always stuck out to me from that episode.


The official UM site doesn't show that silly composite that was drawn showing two women from the back, but they do have this composite on their site. IMO, the hairstyle matches Kuntz, but that was sort of a popular style in the 80s for men and women.

http://www.unsolved.com/ajaxfiles/images/cases/mur_lester_garnier2.jpg

I think that would be rather obvious. Garnier worked vice. He arrested prostitutes. And probably people with drugs in their possession.

Yeah but countless hookers get busted all the time but none turn the tables and go after the cops and shoot them , on paper it wouldnt make sense. If she is somehow involved in all this then there must be more to this than meets the eye - I doubt she would do such a serious crime over one lousy bust for solicitation (or a bit of crack) which wouldnt have earned her a significant stint in the slammer ......

Yeah but countless hookers get busted all the time but none turn the tables and go after the cops and shoot them , on paper it wouldnt make sense.

Are you for real here?

The vast majority of individuals who are arrested by police do not retaliate against them. As we all are fully aware, however, it happens. And yes, there have existed prostitutes who have murdered police officers, and yes, there have existed drug users who have murdered police officers. We don't even know whether Kuntz was prostituting, but it IS confirmed that she was a drug user. And it IS confirmed she was at one point arrested for conspiring to commit another murder.

If she is somehow involved in all this then there must be more to this than meets the eye - I doubt she would do such a serious crime over one lousy bust for solicitation (or a bit of crack) which wouldnt have earned her a significant stint in the slammer ......

None of us know how many previous arrests this woman had, or who was/were the arresting officers, or whatever.

This is what we DO know:

1. Kuntz was a hard drug user, possibly a prostitute.
2. Kuntz was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder just a few years after Lester Garnier's shooting.
3. Garnier was a police officer assigned to vice, and made many arrests while working undercover.
4. Kuntz's fingerprint was found on Garnier's vehicle.
5. Multiple witnesses reported two women in the vicinity of Garnier's vehicle moments before and after the sounds later confirmed to be gunshots were heard.

Seems like a pretty good suspect to me.

Are you for real here?

The vast majority of individuals who are arrested by police do not retaliate against them. As we all are fully aware, however, it happens. And yes, there have existed prostitutes who have murdered police officers, and yes, there have existed drug users who have murdered police officers. We don't even know whether Kuntz was prostituting, but it IS confirmed that she was a drug user. And it IS confirmed she was at one point arrested for conspiring to commit another murder.



None of us know how many previous arrests this woman had, or who was/were the arresting officers, or whatever.

This is what we DO know:

1. Kuntz was a hard drug user, possibly a prostitute.
2. Kuntz was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder just a few years after Lester Garnier's shooting.
3. Garnier was a police officer assigned to vice, and made many arrests while working undercover.
4. Kuntz's fingerprint was found on Garnier's vehicle.
5. Multiple witnesses reported two women in the vicinity of Garnier's vehicle moments before and after the sounds later confirmed to be gunshots were heard.

Seems like a pretty good suspect to me.

The conspiracy to commit murder charge involved her allegedly hiring someone to do the killing .....

Her fingerprint in Lestsers car only proves she was either in the car at some point in time or she came into contact with the car , suspicipous - yes but thats probably not the whole story ......

The sighting of two women opens up all sorts of possible scenarios regarding motive.... and while still on this - have the withesses positively Id`ed Kuntz as one of the ladies they saw? She fits the general description but then again so did a female police officer ......

Regarding prostitutes murdering officers please can you list some actual cases were such a thing has happened ?
Hookers busted by cops do get angry at them and may hate them but thats a whole distance from actually going after a cop and murdering him , I doubt if Kuntz was involved in all this it would have been about a small time bust .....

The conspiracy to commit murder charge involved her allegedly hiring someone to do the killing .....

That's not the point. The point is that there's evidence to indicate the woman has been directly linked to at least one homicide, and that it's reasonable to conclude she could be involved in another, or others.

Her fingerprint in Lestsers car only proves she was either in the car at some point in time or she came into contact with the car , suspicipous - yes but thats probably not the whole story ......

It proves she was there. That's significant.

The sighting of two women opens up all sorts of possible scenarios regarding motive.... and while still on this - have the withesses positively Id`ed Kuntz as one of the ladies they saw? She fits the general description but then again so did a female police officer ......

What female police officer?

Regarding prostitutes murdering officers please can you list some actual cases were such a thing has happened ?

I'm not going to do research for you. A cursory internet search will turn up several examples. Often, prostitutes are also drug clients or are, less frequently, low-level dealers. That is usually a significant factor.

Hookers busted by cops do get angry at them and may hate them but thats a whole distance from actually going after a cop and murdering him , I doubt if Kuntz was involved in all this it would have been about a small time bust .....

No one is saying it's about a "small time bust". You're the only one concluding that--based on what, I don't know. The fact of the matter is:

1. She fits the profile of the people Garnier arrested as a drug client and alleged prostitute.
2. She has been involved with at least one murder.
3. She was in contact with Garnier's vehicle.


No one is saying she's guilty. There's certainly not enough evidence. She is a very good suspect. Period.

That's not the point. The point is that there's evidence to indicate the woman has been directly linked to at least one homicide, and that it's reasonable to conclude she could be involved in another, or others.



It proves she was there. That's significant.



What female police officer?



I'm not going to do research for you. A cursory internet search will turn up several examples. Often, prostitutes are also drug clients or are, less frequently, low-level dealers. That is usually a significant factor.



No one is saying it's about a "small time bust". You're the only one concluding that--based on what, I don't know. The fact of the matter is:

1. She fits the profile of the people Garnier arrested as a drug client and alleged prostitute.
2. She has been involved with at least one murder.
3. She was in contact with Garnier's vehicle.


No one is saying she's guilty. There's certainly not enough evidence. She is a very good suspect. Period.

The conspiracy to commit murder charge was for planning the murder of her then husband but the husband was not murdered in the end, ironically that husband forgave her and helped to free her from the charges! Its quite a bizarre story .......

The female police officer : When the witness reported seeing 2 females leave the car the Walnut creek PD were also investigating the possibility that officers were involved the homicide so they checked to see if any females officers matched the general description of the two ladies seen leaving Lester`s car and thats how they came across a female officer in the bay area who also matched that general description of one of the ladies seen leaving the Corvette ........

Regarding Kuntz I think if she is involved in the shooting then there probably was a wider conspracy involving mutlple people and the motive would have involved something bigger ......

What amazes me is that there is no concrete info on who made that call to Lester on the fateful day ......; whoever called Lester must have known him well (and Lester must have known the caller well too) to lure him away from home ...this then makes me think someone close to Lester was in on the plan to eliminate Lester - this is why I believe there was some conspiracy involving multiple parties -therefore Kuntz must be only the tip of the iceberg in this case and I doubt all this was about revenge for some small time bust ......

I was just watching this one for the first time and as I watched it, I began thinking to myself that a prostitute did this.

Early in the segment, Stack mentions how gung ho Lester was. He arrested a lot and was a very good cop. My initial theory as I was viewing the segment was that prostitutes began to get the drop on Lester. His MO, so to speak of soliciting them in his Corvette and then arresting them. My guess is that within the prostitution world, word spread of Lester (and I'm sure other cops) were putting a dent in their business as well as arresting a lot of them. I think he solicited Catherine Kuntz and pulled into a vacant parking lot where she pulled a gun on him. Articles state that Lesters body was found in the "hand up" position, so its likely that he saw Kuntz (or whoever) pull the gun on him, but he was trapped inside his car and could not get away.

Here's an article from 2009 that discusses Lester's sister confronting Kuntz:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/murdered-vice-cops-family-demand-1013971

I was just watching this one for the first time and as I watched it, I began thinking to myself that a prostitute did this.

Early in the segment, Stack mentions how gung ho Lester was. He arrested a lot and was a very good cop. My initial theory as I was viewing the segment was that prostitutes began to get the drop on Lester. His MO, so to speak of soliciting them in his Corvette and then arresting them. My guess is that within the prostitution world, word spread of Lester (and I'm sure other cops) were putting a dent in their business as well as arresting a lot of them. I think he solicited Catherine Kuntz and pulled into a vacant parking lot where she pulled a gun on him. Articles state that Lesters body was found in the "hand up" position, so its likely that he saw Kuntz (or whoever) pull the gun on him, but he was trapped inside his car and could not get away.

Here's an article from 2009 that discusses Lester's sister confronting Kuntz:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/murdered-vice-cops-family-demand-1013971
Yep it's a dangerous job. A couple of vice members in dallas recently got fired for their interactions with prostitutes. Not insinuating Lester is the same deal just pointing out how sketchy that line of work can be.

She's a very ugly woman, I'll give her that.

I had no idea they named a suspect in Lester's death. Here's (http://unsolved.com/sites/default/files2/mur_lester_garnier2.jpg) the composite drawing of the woman seen in the parking lot. Here's (https://stillunsolved.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/catherine_kuntz.jpg) a picture of Catherine Kuntz, the suspect named. I think they look similar.

Other than the her print being found on Lester's car, and Kuntz being a suspected prostitute, they never could tie down a motive, correct? The most recent article I saw referenced a diner that Lester and his family going to, and that Kuntz had worked there very briefly around the same time. Is there anything other than that (possible arrests of Kuntz by Lester) that could tie the two together somehow?

I had no idea they named a suspect in Lester's death. If you can find Here's (http://unsolved.com/sites/default/files2/mur_lester_garnier2.jpg) the composite drawing of the woman seen in the parking lot. Here's (https://stillunsolved.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/catherine_kuntz.jpg) a picture of Catherine Kuntz, the suspect named. I think they look similar.

Other than the her print being found on Lester's car, and Kuntz being a suspected prostitute, they never could tie down a motive, correct? The most recent article I saw referenced a diner that Lester and his family going to, and that Kuntz had worked there very briefly around the same time. Is there anything other than that (possible arrests of Kuntz by Lester) that could tie the two together somehow?


I would say there is a ton of resemblence in those two pictures. Wow.

I found it interesting that the article mentions Lester receiving 2 phone calls shortly before his murder, but the UM segment makes it seem like the last known activity of Lester that day was cancelling plans to get together with a friend sometime in the afternoon.

I also find the theory that this was a murder for hire plot very intriguing. Since they have never been able to find a connection between Lester and Catherine Kuntz, I wonder if Kuntz was hired by someone else who wanted Lester dead. This would explain the 2nd unidentified woman at the scene. And I can't come up with an "innocent" explanation as to why Kuntz would be with Lester that night, and not be involved in his murder.

I think Catherine and this other woman were involved with Lester's death but the actual person who shot him was a professional.

Just re-watched this one. I can come up with two theories. The first is simple and involves Kuntz being directly responsible, killing Lester randomly during a sting or for some other comparatively trivial grievance.

The second is arguably more complex and involves Kuntz acting on behalf of someone or ordering the killing herself (which, without a motive, I find hard to believe). You can start with either corrupt politicians or corrupt police and then create whatever wild theory you want from there.

Watching this case this morning. I really believe prostitutes that he might have arrested in the past probably are responsible for this.

I have a few theories regarding this case:

1.) A pimp who Kuntz and the other woman worked for ordered that Lester be killed for arresting with his "workers", or maybe felt betrayed since he was undercover.

2.) Lester could've been a bit of a dirty cop and could've been "abusive" towards the prostitutes. Maybe he took their money and drugs, and roughed them up a bit. Maybe he extorted some of them i.e. sex/money for not getting arrested and arrested them anyway. Could've been a bit of a bully

Reading through this thread again, I have two things to offer: firstly, DanCart, if you're still out there, I apologize for the unnecessary snark. Secondly, I can't wrap my mind around the SFPD's response in the wake of Garnier's death. It would seem to me that a department so reluctant to take on an investigation of the death of one of its own may have something it wants to conceal.

I also have always had the feeling, from the first time I ever saw the segment, that Garnier got a little too close to the fire, so to speak. I think he was probably ultimately a good cop, but I sense he might have committed himself more deeply than might have been wise.

This (https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Suspect-in-S-F-cop-s-1988-slaying-is-deported-3173664.php) article was written back in 2009. Kuntz was deported back to Scotland. The head prosecutor at the time was quoted in the article:

"Unfortunately," Jewett said, "their investigation also uncovered significant questions involving at least two other parties."

He declined to go into details, but added that "while it is clear that Ms. Kuntz was in the general area of the killing, that fact does not establish her as the shooter.

"That is the critical area in the investigation - not whether she was present, but whether she shot the officer," Jewett said. "There is some evidence that it may have been somebody else. There is also evidence suggesting it was her. ... We have to have proof establishing our case beyond a reasonable doubt, and we simply do not."

The homicide detective investigating Lester's death, disagrees:

He said that despite Jewett's reference to two other suspects, Kuntz remains investigators' prime target.

"We say that with the caveat," Edwards said, "that we will follow up on any leads, and we are not taking a blind eye to somebody else."

One thing that is interesting to me about this case is that the police have publicly named Catherine Kuntz as a suspect. Her fingerprint was found on/in Lester's car and she was known to have been in the area. These are things we now know. Here is what's odd to me. I read in the article I linked years ago in this thread and the one that TheCars linked a few years back that the police named her publicly as suspect in an effort to get more information from the public. In the UM segment, there were two different people who saw the two women by his car the night Lester was murdered. Why haven't those two people been shown a picture of Kuntz to see if she matches what they saw? They publicly named her in 2008, 20 years after his murder. I realize that it is a long time but it seems like that is your best avenue in looking for additional evidence. These two people have already come forward with what they saw. It seems like formally bringing them in to show them a picture of Kuntz should be the next step, assuming they're still alive.

Reading through this thread again, I have two things to offer: firstly, DanCart, if you're still out there, I apologize for the unnecessary snark. Secondly, I can't wrap my mind around the SFPD's response in the wake of Garnier's death. It would seem to me that a department so reluctant to take on an investigation of the death of one of its own may have something it wants to conceal.

I also have always had the feeling, from the first time I ever saw the segment, that Garnier got a little too close to the fire, so to speak. I think he was probably ultimately a good cop, but I sense he might have committed himself more deeply than might have been wise.


After watching this case again, that's exactly what I think happened. This link (link (https://abc7news.com/lester-garnier-walnut-creek-sfpd-cold-case/3738860/)) mentioned the possibility that Lester could've been set up by someone he trusted, due to the murder weapon that was used (a .380 caliber AMT pistol).

Taken together with info from the UM Wiki writeup (link (https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Lester_Garnier)) that mentioned how he was investigating a brothel rumored to be frequented by cops & politicians and the fact the prime suspect was a known prostitute and I think it's pretty clear what happened.

Either someone who was a frequent customer of the brothel and knew of Lester's work, or someone in a position of power who feared discovery decided Lester needed to be eliminated. They procured a 'throwaway' gun (perhaps from a police evidence locker?), hired two or more prostitutes to do the deed and set him up.