State Stories logo
State Stories logo
  • Home
  • News
  • Crime
  • Weird
  • Mystery
  • History
Reading: Pinyon Pines Murder Case: Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Triple Murder
Share
The State StoriesThe State Stories
Search
  • Home
    • News
    • Crime
    • Weird
    • Stories
    • Mystery
    • History
Follow US
  • About
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
© 2025 State Stories. All rights reserved.

Home | Crime

Crime

Pinyon Pines Murder Case: Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Triple Murder

By Henry Davis Published September 25, 2024 5 Min Read
Share
Pinyon Pines Murder Case: Killers Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Triple Murder

On Sept. 17, 2006, a tragic house fire in the quiet mountain town of Pinyon Pines, California, revealed a horrifying crime. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the burned bodies of 53-year-old Vicki Friedli and her 55-year-old boyfriend, Jon Hayward, inside the house.

It quickly became clear that they had been murdered before the fire was set.

But the most disturbing discovery was made outside the home. In a wheelbarrow near the front yard lay the charred body of 18-year-old Becky Friedli, Vicki’s daughter. Her body had been deliberately placed there and set on fire, making it clear this was not an accident. It was personal.

friedlifire2
friedliwheelbarrow

A Family Torn Apart

Becky Friedli
18-year-old, Becky Friedli

Becky was a vibrant, fun-loving young woman who worked as a waitress at a local Denny’s. She was the youngest of her siblings and had grown up in a close-knit family.

Her friends and family described her as someone who could brighten any room with her smile and laughter. But despite her sunny personality, Becky was involved in a toxic relationship that would eventually lead to her tragic death.

Recommended

Joshlin Smith

South African mother sentenced to life for selling her 6-year-old daughter

Physician Who Falsely Diagnosed Patients in $118M Scam Gets 10 Years, Funded Lavish Lifestyle
Jail Worker Arrested After 10 Inmates Escape from New Orleans Facility Using Hole Behind Toilet
I lost my NHS nurse job because of a patient’s false claim

Becky had been dating a boy named Robert Pape for about a year, but their relationship ended 15 months before the murders.

According to those close to her, Robert became controlling and obsessive after the breakup. He would call her repeatedly and make creepy statements like “no one else can have you.” He even showed up at her workplace to confront her just one day before the murders, along with his friend Christian Smith.

Despite their rocky relationship, Becky agreed to meet up with Robert and Christian for a hike the next night, possibly to smooth things over. Tragically, that decision cost her life.

The investigation into the murders started immediately but stalled. No clear suspects were identified, and the case went cold. Years passed without significant progress. Then, a renewed effort by private investigators and community members brought the case back into focus.

A Slow Path to Justice

Provocative Billboard
Luis Bolaños took to the media and put up this billboard

The lack of evidence was a major obstacle. The case remained unsolved for several years. In 2012, private investigator Luis Bolaños took it upon himself to breathe new life into the case. He raised awareness by setting up billboards and holding press conferences. This led to fresh tips and renewed interest.

In March 2014, Pape and Smith were arrested but released when the charges were dropped. Legal setbacks delayed the case further. However, a review by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office uncovered new evidence. Pape and Smith were re-arrested in June 2016.

Among the key evidence was DNA found on a business card near Becky’s body, which matched Smith. There were also phone records placing Pape and Smith near the crime scene around the time of the murders. This contradicted their original alibis, as both had claimed they were miles away when the murders occurred. Additionally, a phone location tracker placed them closer to Becky’s home than they admitted during initial interviews. This information helped solidify the case against them.

Jeremy Witt, a friend of Smith, also testified. He recalled a chilling statement Smith made about the night of the murders: “Something went wrong, and we torched the whole effing place.”

The Verdict

Robert Pape Christian Smith
Robert Pape & Christian Smith

Pape and Smith finally faced trial in 2018. The outcome was mixed. Smith was convicted of first-degree murder for the deaths of Vicki Friedli and Jon Hayward but acquitted of Becky’s murder. Pape was found guilty of second-degree murder for Becky’s death.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said, “We are committed to seeking justice for the victims and their families. New evidence emerged that we could not ignore.” His words underscored the determination to bring closure to a case that had haunted the community for years.

John Friedli, Becky’s father, expressed relief after the verdict. “I waited 11 years, nine months for this day,” he said. “I think the whole Coachella Valley can sleep better now.”

Becky’s sister Tanya Friedli said it was heartbreaking to think about how much Becky loved Robert, only for him to betray her in such a horrible way.

This article is based entirely on information reported by the multiple reputable news sources as cited. No opinions, interpretations, or unverified claims have been added. Our writers carefully researched these sources to deliver an accurate and factual report.

TAGGED:MurderPinyon Pines Murder Case
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Copy Link
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
[mc4wp_form]

HOT NEWS

Marco Rubio
NewsPolitics

Rubio Rolls Out Visa Ban Targeting Foreign Officials ‘Complicit’ in Silencing Americans.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced a new visa restriction…

President Trump. Court Blocks Trump’s Tariffs, Says He Exceeded Legal Powers
PoliticsNews

Court Blocks Trump’s Tariffs, Says He Exceeded Legal Powers

A U.S. federal trade court has struck down former President Donald Trump’s…

Elon Muskwith president trump_png
CryptoNews

Elon Musk Breaks With Trump Over $3.8 Trillion Spending Bill

Elon Musk has publicly distanced himself from President Donald Trump’s new economic…

Trump Memecoin
CryptoNewsPolitics

Trump memecoin attracts $300M bid from Chinese-linked firm with zero revenue

President Donald Trump’s official memecoin, $TRUMP, has drawn hundreds of millions in…

Trump talks about Harvard’s foreign students facing visa challenges
NewsPolitics

Trump says Harvard admits students from countries ‘hostile’ to U.S. that contribute ‘nothing’ financially

The Trump administration’s crackdown on Harvard University escalated this week as Homeland…

Texas Man Sues Whataburger for $1M Over Alleged Onion Mishap

A Texas man has filed a lawsuit against Whataburger, alleging that he…

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Natalie Sorrells
CrimeNews

Texas Mother Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Inappropriate Relationship with Son’s 13-Year-Old Friend

A Heath woman has been sentenced to five years in prison after…

By Baras May 11, 2025
Jarnesky Magana 20250506 201934 0000
NewsCrime

Man Wins $167 Million Powerball Jackpot, Arrested 4 Days Later for Assaulting Officer

James Farthing, a 50-year-old resident of Georgetown, Kentucky, who recently claimed a…

By Baras May 7, 2025
Denise Amber Lee. Photo: Facebook
Crime

Denise Amber Lee: Abduction and Murder of a 21-Year-Old Mother

On 17 January 2008, Denise Amber Lee, a 21-year-old mother was abducted…

By Lucien Folter May 27, 2025
Samantha Wohlford
Crime

Samantha Wohlford, a YouTuber, orchestrates her husband’s kidnapping with three accomplices, which resulted in his death

In 2015, Samantha Wohlford reported a home invasion in which her husband,…

By Lucien Folter May 27, 2025
Shayna Hubers and Ryan Poston
Crime

Ryan Poston: Murdered by Obsessed Girlfriend Shayna Hubers After He Tried to Break Up

On 12 October 2012, Shayna Hubers fatally shot her on-again/off-again boyfriend, Ryan…

By Lucien Folter April 20, 2025
Loretta Saunders
Crime

Loretta Saunders: Pregnant Inuit Student Whose Life Was Taken by Her Own Tenants

Loretta Saunders, a university student specializing in missing Indigenous women, was murdered…

By Lucien Folter May 27, 2025
The State Stories

Categories

  • Crime
  • Stories
  • News

Policies

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

About

  • About Us
  • Contact

© 2024 State Stories. All rights reserved.

adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account