Lester Garnier (San Francisco cop) murder article

[Todd Mueller]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but here 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.

[Kemistry]

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

[Kane]

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.

[Brent88]

Originally Posted by Kane

Unfortunately, the segment has never been rerun on Lifetime.

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

[Awsi Dooger]

Originally Posted by Kane

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.

[crystaldawn]

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.

[SitcomsAreTheWay]

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.

[SitcomsAreTheWay]

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

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.

[CanadianUMFan]

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

[Avante]

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

http://www.walnut-creek.org/citygov/...essrelease.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.

[DanCart]

Originally Posted by Avante

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

http://www.walnut-creek.org/citygov/...essrelease.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"....

[MegtheEgg86]

Originally Posted by DanCart

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.

[DJ_Foxx]

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.

[TracyLynnS]

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:


Kuntz in 1988


Kuntz in 1991


this one was titled "recent" without an actual date

[TracyLynnS]

Originally Posted by DJ_Foxx

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.