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Alleged Newport Beach Rape-Homicide
(Broadcast on ACRU TV Report)

November 2004

The ACRU was contacted last July by Mrs. Linda Cator, bereaved mother of 20 year old Andrea J. Nelson. She'd exhausted her appeals for assistance in the matter of her daughter's alleged rape/murder, and described her total frustration with authorities. (Her daughter had been a volunteer informant re drugs, prostitution and alleged police misconduct.) Her mother's ongoing efforts to have a known suspect prosecuted haven't been welcomed by detectives described as indifferent and even intimidating. ACRU finds that the authorities have relied exclusively upon one deputy coroner's alleged erroneous findings of "accidental death" -- findings disputed by a forensic pathologist and others convinced of murder in this case. Mrs. Cator's formal requests for "Internal Affairs" review have been ignored, as had been repeated "rape kit" requests.

Victim Andrea Nelson

Family members and friends of the victim with evidence of her apparent rape/murder were never contacted by detectives in the investigation of this case. All are critical of Newport Beach Detectives and their failure to deal with a foreign national felon, rape/murder suspect. Indirectly involved are other O.C. police departments. (Ref. "ā€¦Police Scandals", L.A. Times, 4/28/03).

ACRU requested a meeting with Police Chief Bob McDonell and Internal Affairs. His belated, less than cooperative reply failed to deal with important questions and allegations raised, and he even suggested ACRU meet with the very detectives alleged to have been involved in investigative misconduct! The chief also stated that the DAs Office, "ā€¦ will not file criminal charges against the alleged suspect claimed to have involvement in Andrea's death."

On bringing her body DOA to Hoag Hospital in her car, the alleged suspect claimed they'd had consensual sex for 6 months. In fact, the victim had evidently been alone with him on but one occasion -- the evening of her demise. We ask, among other things, why did authorities believe this suspect - a felon with numerous drug &drunk driving charges? ACRU Director Garber and Harry Bonnell, Forensic Pathologist with critical knowledge of this case met with O.C. District Attorney Dave Brent in December, 2004 re a belated DA investigation of our complaints.

A 1/2 hour "ACRU TV Report" interview with Mrs. Cator and the victim's grandmother was broadcast on Adelphia Cable TV in Orange County and Los Angeles in order to focus attention on this disputed case. It a be viewed on "TV Archives".

Dr Harry Bonnell, Forensic Pathologist with expert, critical knowledge of this case will participate in a scheduled second program re this important case.