Ida Stine
The Murder of Ida Stine
The San Francisco Examiner, Feb. 7, 1973
On February 7, 1979, Ida Stine was found in her home murdered. A neighbor who was checking in on her at the request of friends discovered the body. Stine was face down in her bathtub and fully clothed. Police determined that Ida Stine had been suffocated and raped most likely on February 6, 1973 in the afternoon to early evening.
By February 11, 1973, the police had arrested a 16 year old named Wilfried Willie Brown in the murder of Ida Stine. Brown was living in Santa Cruz at a Drug Recovery Center and had been in the area at the time of the murder selling soap door to door. He admitted to police that he committed the crime.
Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb. 13, 1973
Police quickly found that Brown had committed a violent act prior to the murder of Ida Stine. He had recently been held at the California Youth Authority and after being arrested was held in Juvenile Detention in Santa Cruz, CA.
Front page of the Santa Cruz Sentinel showing what it was like to live in the "murder capital of the world" during the 1970's.
The Berkeley Gazette, April 28, 1973
Wilfried Brown was tried as an adult. He faced charges of felony murder which could've brought a death sentence. In a very short trial the judge determined that Brown was guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was given the option of parole after serving seven years.
Santa Cruz Superior County Court
Over the years Wilfried Brown has had parole hearings and each time parole has been denied. The latest in 2019 was also denied as he hadn't participated in any treatment.
Ida Stine's Funeral Notice, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 8, 1973 via newspapers.com
Map of area Ida Stine lived on Sacramento AVE in Capitola, CA via google maps
Works Cited
“Capitola Widow, 79, Found Slain.” The San Francisco Examiner, Feb 7 1973, pg 17 (newspapers.com)
“Faces Adult Trial.” The Californian, March 8, 1973, pg. 6 (newspapers.com)
“Former Honor Student Held in Slaying of Six.” Daily News-Post, Feb 16, 1973, pg. 1 (newspapers.com).
“Hearing Slated In Capitola Slaying Case.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb. 16, 1973, pg. 12 (newspapers.com).
Honig, Tom. “Capitola Woman Slain.”
Honig, Tom. “Life Term For Slayer.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Apr 27, 1973, pg. 1 (newspapers.com).
Honig, Tom. “Slaying Suspect Won’t Cooperate With Police.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 14, 1973, pg 1 (newspaper.com)
Ida Stine Obituary, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 8, 1973, pg. 28 (newspapers.com).
“Killer-Rapist of 79 Year Old Ida Stine Denied Parole.” California Patch, Jun 17, 2019; available at: patch.com/california/capitola/killer-rapist-79-year-old-ida-stine-denied-parole; accessed on: 1/15/2020.
“Man Convicted Of Murdering, Raping 70-Year-Old Santa Cruz Woman Denied Parole.” SF CBS Local News, June 15, 2019.
“News Briefs: Adult Trial.” The Handford Sentinel, Mar 8, 1973, pg. 14 (newspapers.com).
“Not Guilty Plea In Slaying Case.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Mar 8, 1973, pg. 32 (newspapers.com).
“Pleads Insanity.” The Californian, Mar 9, 1973, pg. 11 (newspapers.com).
“Rapist, killer seeks freedom.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Nov 22, 1973, pg. 3 (newspapers.com).
Righetti, Don. “Youth Held in Capitola Death.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 13, 1973, (newspapers.com).
Sentinel Staff. “Cops and Courts: July 11, 2014: Aptos Man arrested in graffiti case.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 7, 2014; available at: www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/zz/20140710/NEWS/140717623; accessed on 8/14/2018.
“The State: Boy, 16, to be tried as Adult in Rape-Slaying.” The Los Angeles Times, Mar 8, 1973, pg. 2 (newspapers.com).
“WCTU Memorial.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 21,1973, pg. 7 (newspapers.com).
“Two Accused of Murder Arraigned This Morning.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, Mar 23, 1973, pg. 14 (newspapers.com).
“Two Enter Innocent Pleas In Slayings.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 3, 1973, pg. 24 (newspapers.com).
“Voice of the People.” Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 20, 1973, pg. 41 (newspapers.com).
York, Jessica A. “State denies parole for ‘73 Capitola murder-rapist.” The Mercury News, July 11, 2014.
“Youth Charged for ‘Psychopath’ Death.” The San Francisco Examiner, Feb 13, 1973, pg. 45 (newspapers.com)
“Youth Ordered Tried As Adult In Rape-Slaying.” Independent, Mar 8, 1973, pg. 44 (newspapers.com)