The Murder of Chloe Ottman
Chloe Ottman was a 16-year-old girl who was described as 'best friend and sister to many,' she was an American student. Chloe was popular, open and friendly. She was kind and made efforts to be friends with everyone.
Francisco Cruz Jr, 19, had been friends with Chloe for about two years. On the evening of 15th July, the two walked together to the Holy Land, an 18-acre religious attraction on a hillside. Cruz was carrying four cans of liquor. The pair came to a clearing at the top of a hill under a giant, 50 feet high, cross, it was here that they stopped, relaxed and began drinking. At some point, Cruz attempted to act on his romantic feelings for Chloe who was shocked as she had a boyfriend and viewed her relationship with Cruz as platonic.
Cruz described how he had been attracted to Chloe and but that she had rejected his advances and refused to have sex with him. When he attempted to touch Chloe, she had pushed him away which had angered him. Cruz then put his arm around her neck and began to strangle her until she lost consciousness. He then raped Chloe twice and strangled her to death. Her body had then been sexually violated and mutilated with a pocket knife. Chillingly Cruz told police 'I am raping a girl. If I let her live, I'm going to jail for a long time I gotta kill her.'
When Chloe did not return home, she was reported as missing and the police discovered Cruz was the last person to be seen with her. While in custody, Cruz confessed and led officers to Chloe's body. Cruz was offered a plea deal in 2011, he was sentenced to 55 years in prison.
