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.
A Family Torn Apart
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.
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
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
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.
