OC's 50 Most Notorious Cases ~ OC's 50 Most Notorious Cases

Day 40: The killer kept his victim’s body refrigerated

December 11th, 2009, 2:00 am · 15 Comments · posted by

Denise Huber 6/17/97 PXX MA1991: Experts on sociopathic killers have long opined that some murderers get off on keeping souvenirs from their victims.

Denise Huber

Denise Huber

John Famalaro

John Famalaro

John Famalaro went to the extreme. Hewas sentenced to death for the 1991 kidnapping, sexual assault and bludgeoning death of Newport Beach resident Denise Huber, 23.

Famalaro kidnapped Huber after her car broke down on the Corona del Mar (73) Freeway, then sexually assaulted and murdered her at a Laguna Hills warehouse.

He was arrested in Arizona in 1994 after sheriff’s deputies discovered Huber’s body in a freezer outside his home – three years after she was murdered.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Evans argued that Famalaro kept Huber’s body as a “trophy” to remind him of the crime. He remains on Death Row.

Posted in: Criminal cases
 
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 15 Comments

  • dennis says:

    I recall a home right off the freeway with her name on the roof, while they searched in vain for years.
    How long must we support this sorry excuse for a human being?

    • jojo says:

      What I recall is a business with her name on top of the roof, I believe it was the Gahnal Lumber at the 55 and 73 east bound interchange…this was so sad…I remember being happy when Denise was found.

  • Yohners says:

    I was the same age as Denise Huber when she was killed.my girlfriends were all scared for there safety in so oc.I worked in Laguna at the time and there was fliers posted everywhere.I also remember the banner on the side of someones house off the freeway.So sad.Line up this one for sure Hangman time!

  • Martha says:

    I remember driving past that billboard all the time off the 55. I was right around her age when she was killed and it was easy to imagine it happening to me and my friends. My parents were terrified for us. John Famalaro is a disgusting excuse for a man. So sad that such a beautiful young lady fell victim to his sick and twisted demons.

  • ThisIsNotAnExit says:

    I remember the billboards for this. And when they found her body. That was right around the time I started reading the Orange County Register. Of course I had to get it delivered back then.

    • Vagitarian says:

      I was actually intrigued that you included that you had to get the OCR delivered back then… wow! And this, after making the monumental point that that’s when you started reading the paper!

      The relevance to the article is uncanny! You should have your own blog.

  • Kid Richmond says:

    I think i remember this more than any other one ever— terrible

  • czykoc says:

    ah stories like these are a real bummer. why must we be reminded of this!

  • Jason says:

    where this people come from

  • smartayss says:

    This man is still alive!

    THAT is injustice, pathetic and embarrassing!

    We are supposed to be an “advanced” society, but this maggot is alive, and before he, if he, gets death, we are so stupid as to give his sorry aass a LAST MEAL????!!!!! I presume as a way to say “Thanks” for committing murder, and costing taxpayers tons of money??

    We are wee todd did.
    We are wee todd did.
    SOFA KING WEE TODD DID!!!

  • Alan Travis says:

    Denise Huber’s car did not “break down.” She had a flat tire. That’s all.

    Many lessons can be learned from this by those who wish to learn.
    First, women should know how to change a tire.
    Second, women should never stop on the freeway. Instead, slow down and exit as soon as possible to avoid being hit by fast traffic. Okay, you ruin the tire and rim. Buy new ones.
    Third, men should be decent enough to stop and help stranded women, particularly at night.

    When is the last time any of you men reading this stopped to help somebody’s mother/sister/wife when she needed help?

    It is very rewarding to do so. I’ve done it many, many times.
    The best was one Christmas Even about 25 years ago, when I replaced a young lady’s broken radiator hose after leading her to my house full of relatives who were inside noshing on snacks.

    She cried and thanked me before driving on home to San Diego.
    I rather enjoyed her tears of sincere thanks. Didn’t want any money for it.

    • Adrian says:

      I helped a girl change her tire on the 5 south last week. She was a tiny little thing, maybe 100 lbs, struggling with the lug nuts. My good deed for the day.

    • raicha says:

      Sorry guys, but there is no way I’d let you help me change a tire. It is impossible for me to tell the good guys from the bad guys, so I’ll deal with it myself or call AAA. I’m not getting out the car for any guy I can’t identify.

  • OC4truth says:

    I hope profiling these crimes does not cause renewed pain for the family. I remember the posters and then hearing about her being found.

    Of course that was before most of us had cell phones to call for help while keeping the doors locked.

    Some years later I was working on a temp job and came to learn that I was working with her Dad.

    Just thinking that the killer has been alive almost as long after the murder as her total life on earth.

  • apere2 says:

    He remains on death row… and will remain on death row for who knows how many more decades…

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