Case 98

The Pillow Pyro

*** Content Warning: child victim ***

On the night of October 10 1984, a fire broke out at Ole’s Home Centre in South Pasadena that claimed the lives of four victims – Ada Deal, Matthew Troidl, Carolyn Kraus and Jimmy Cetina. Glendale arson investigator John Orr suspected the blaze had been deliberately lit, but his theory was dismissed and the fire was ruled a tragic accident.

Over the years that followed, a series of arson fires occurred throughout California that were started using a signature incendiary device set alight in piles of polyfoam. As arson investigators throughout the state tried to identify and apprehend the elusive Pillow Pyro, a suspect emerged in the most unlikely of places.

CREDITS

Casefile Presents

EPISODE:

Research & writing – Elsha McGill

Additional editing – Milly Raso

Narration – Anonymous Host

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com

Audio production – Mike Migas

Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn

OTHER:

Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska

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