From the book - "MARIE CASTANEDA AGE 29 KILLED BY HER BOY FRIEND VERNON ARENSON. HE BROKE A WINE BOTTLE AND CUT HER. 6/19/44. L.A. Cal. 612½ No SPRING ST."
In the aftermath of the tragic murder of Georgia Elizabeth Castaneda, authorities initially misidentified her by the name "Marie." This error, though minor in the grand scheme of the investigation, added to the confusion surrounding the case. Georgia, a 29-year-old waitress, had her life brutally taken from her, and the investigation into her death would reveal a complex web of deception surrounding her personal life.
Her boyfriend, who went by the name Harry Fisher, was later discovered to have multiple aliases, including Alvin Oscar Arnsen and Steven Joseph Vernon. At 39 years old, he was a man with a past shrouded in ambiguity and false identities. This multiplicity of names reflected not only his attempts to evade the law but also the shadowy nature of his relationship with Georgia. The use of various aliases throughout this narrative underscores the perplexing circumstances surrounding both Georgia's life and her untimely death. Each name serves as a reminder of the layers of mystery and tragedy interwoven into the fabric of her story.
As law enforcement delved deeper into the investigation, the complexities of Georgia’s relationship with Fisher began to unravel. The numerous identities he adopted painted a picture of a man who was not only evasive but potentially dangerous. The connection between Georgia and Fisher, marked by the turmoil of her brutal demise, became central to understanding the events leading to her tragic end. The investigation sought not only to uncover the truth about the murder but also to bring clarity to the chaotic reality of Georgia’s life and the man who was intimately tied to it.
The Murder:
On June 18, 1944, a gruesome discovery was made at a Chinese rooming house located at 612 1/2 North Spring Street. Mrs. Freda Schull, the proprietor of the establishment, stumbled upon the lifeless body of a nude woman in one of the rented rooms. The victim was identified by authorities as 29-year-old Georgia Elizabeth Castaneda, a local waitress. The brutality of her murder was horrifying; she had been subjected to extensive mutilation reminiscent of the infamous Jack the Ripper. Georgia suffered severe trauma, including a violent blow to the head with a bottle, which left her face battered and unrecognizable. The attacker had employed a broken bottle and a razor blade to inflict further horrors, resulting in the amputation of parts of her breasts and the disembowelment of her body, which was gruesomely ripped open from the sternum down to her genitals.
In a seemingly desperate attempt to conceal the crime, the perpetrator wrapped Georgia’s body in a bed blanket and shoved it beneath the bed. The chilling scene spoke to a calculated cruelty, evoking fear and revulsion in the community. The man who had rented the room under the name Harry Fischer from San Diego became the prime suspect in the investigation. Following the discovery of Georgia’s body, a warrant for his arrest was issued in Los Angeles on June 27. However, despite an extensive search effort by the police, Fischer appeared to have vanished without a trace, leaving behind a harrowing scene and a community grappling with the horror of the crime. The case would remain open, with law enforcement continuing to seek justice for Georgia Elizabeth Castaneda amidst the shadows of a suspect who had seemingly disappeared.
The Suspect:
Alvin Oscar Arnsen, known by several aliases including Alvin Arnessen, Harry Fischer, Harry Fisher, and Steven Joseph Vernon, was born in 1905 to Oscar Arnesen and Selina Magnusson in Illinois. At the time of his involvement in the tragic murder of Georgia Elizabeth Castaneda, Arnsen was 39 years old and had garnered a reputation as a hard-drinking individual who frequented cheap bars. He was known to consort with heavy-drinking women and reportedly had a certain charm that attracted them. Despite his disheveled lifestyle, he maintained a neat appearance, often dressing in sport clothes that contrasted with his questionable choices.
Witness accounts from May 1944 described Arnsen's last known attire as a green tweed sport coat, gray pants, a light brown panama hat, and black oxfords. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds, he was of medium build, with dark blond hair thinning on top, blue eyes, and fair skin. His skills as a radio mechanic and electrician were notable, as he held several Social Security cards and often resided in inexpensive hotels. Reports suggested that he regularly drank wine, which contributed to his erratic behavior.
On the day of Georgia Castaneda's murder, Arnsen had left his job at White's Radio, where he worked as a repairman, around 6 p.m. That evening, he stole $30 from the cash register and some blank checks, which he later forged to cash sizable amounts at nearby taverns. The investigation linked Arnsen to the crime scene through fingerprints found on a wine bottle discovered in the room where Castaneda's lifeless body was located.
The proprietor of the rooming house identified Arnsen from a photograph as the man who had occupied the room for 21 days prior to the murder. On the day the body was found, he had told her not to clean the room, claiming he would return soon. Arnsen’s criminal history also included a stint at a Pike bowling alley, where he worked while carrying a pinsetter's union card under the name S. Vernon. During this period, he forged checks bearing the establishment's name, including a $10 check that he cashed at the Swallow Inn on Broadway.
Following the murder, Arnsen fled California and joined a traveling carnival, moving through various states, including Nevada, Missouri, Texas, Indiana, Washington, Montana, and Louisiana. His unique method of killing led authorities to suspect him in multiple similar murders across these regions. In addition to the Castaneda case, Arnsen faced charges of forgery and robbery across three Pacific Coast states. A warrant for his arrest was also issued in Los Angeles concerning a previous incident where he allegedly assaulted a 60-year-old woman after she rejected his advances.
His criminal record extended to the FBI, which sought him for violations of the Selective Service Act. Furthermore, he was implicated in the murders of two other women in Los Angeles, whose bodies bore striking similarities to the mutilation suffered by Castaneda. The first victim, Mrs. Katie Brady, aged 75, was discovered in an alley with her internal organs violently removed after being beaten. She succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter. The second, Mrs. Loretta Robinson, a 24-year-old waitress, was found strangled and mutilated, with her body burned with cigarette butts, in a Skid Row hotel room. Arnsen was also linked to the unsolved murder of Mrs. Virgie Lee Griffin, who was one of the two victims that Otto Wilson, an ex-sailor, confessed to killing. This trail of violence painted a grim portrait of a man whose life was marked by chaos, brutality, and evasion.
Capture:
Detective Sergeants Robert Lohrman and Stew Jones of the Los Angeles Police Department reported that during his time with a traveling carnival troupe, Alvin Oscar Arnsen, alias Steven Joseph Vernon, was living with a young dancer named Cecilia Doree, who was 23 years old. The two posed as husband and wife while traversing various states. However, law enforcement was actively seeking Arnsen in Spokane, Washington, where Sheriff George Harber was investigating his alleged involvement in passing bad checks, further illustrating the breadth of his criminal activities.
As the investigation into Arnsen's activities expanded, evidence of theft began to mount against him in North Louisiana. Sheriff Flournoy revealed that officers had recovered numerous stolen items from tourist courts and hotels found among Arnsen's personal belongings. Notably, one of the items was a blue woolen blanket stolen from the Lincoln tourist courts in Ruston, which Arnsen openly admitted to taking. He also confessed to stealing a radio from the same location, showcasing a pattern of theft that spanned multiple states.
Arnsen and Doree spent two days at the Caddo Hotel, where they registered under the name H. Fischer and wife. However, they left abruptly, skipping out on a $20 hotel bill, which raised suspicions among the hotel staff. The suitcase containing the stolen blanket was discovered at the hotel, providing further evidence against him. The hotel management subsequently requested that charges be filed for the unpaid bill and for the stolen radio, which was valued at $150. As a result, Beaumont authorities issued an arrest warrant for Arnsen under his alias, Steven Joseph Vernon.
After a series of travels across the country, Arnsen was eventually apprehended in Oil City, Oklahoma, where detectives located the sideshow he had been performing with. Following his arrest, both Arnsen and Doree were taken into custody and held at the Caddo Parish Jail. Despite his extensive criminal history, Sheriff Flournoy chose not to interrogate Arnsen regarding the murder of Georgia Castaneda at that time. However, a conversation between Vernon and another inmate in the jail raised eyebrows, hinting at deeper implications behind his various aliases and criminal activities.
Vernon: "Buddy, what have they got you in for?"
Companion: "Oh, I was mean to my wife and they threw me in."
Vernon: "It looks as if we are two of a kind. I got something on my mind that I have just got to get off. I can't sleep at night, and I am worried all the time."
Companion: "Well, why not tell me and get it off your chest?"
Vernon: "You know something - I was in Los Angeles at the time the woman was killed and I was in the room when the slaying took place, but I can't remember whether or not I killed her."
Companion: "Sure, you would know if you killed her. Why not admit it and you will feel better?"
Vernon: "But I don't know. I was drunk and there seems to have been two other fellows in teh room with me, but I can't remember their names."
Companion: "Well, you're sure in a tight spot and you had better remember their names."
Vernon: "Oh, I know I;m going to burn and I guess I did kill the woman. Say, I got $35 in cash. Will you find out for me when the California officers are coming for me, and when and how they are going to return me to California?"
Companion: "I don't know how I can, but I will try."
Vernon: "You know me and a buddy robbed a bank up north for $22,000. All officers have recovered so far is $6,000.Only me and my buddy know where the other is."
Sheriff Flournoy stated that the information gathered regarding Alvin Oscar Arnsen, also known as Steven Joseph Vernon, was promptly relayed to the Los Angeles police. In light of the ongoing investigation into the Castaneda murder, the LAPD expressed their intention to interrogate Vernon in hopes of extracting information about the whereabouts of additional stolen money. This indicated the police’s strategic approach, aiming to leverage any potential weaknesses in Vernon’s situation to uncover further criminal activities linked to him.
Upon his arrest, law enforcement officials discovered a theatrical kit among Vernon’s personal belongings. This kit was particularly concerning, as it contained several drugs along with a variety of hypodermic needles of different sizes. The presence of these items suggested not only a connection to his life in the carnival and the performing arts but also raised alarms about possible substance abuse. Such findings hinted at a darker side of Vernon’s character, as they could be indicative of his lifestyle and habits, perhaps even tying into the violent acts for which he was being sought. The combination of drugs and needles added another layer to the complexities of Vernon’s criminal profile, raising questions about his mental state and motivations leading up to the events surrounding Georgia Castaneda's murder.
During the investigation into Alvin Oscar Arnsen, alias Steven Joseph Vernon, authorities uncovered that the hypodermic needles found in his possession were stolen from the office of Dr. George S. Acton in Plain Dealing. Dr. Acton had visited Shreveport when he received the call regarding the theft. He recalled an incident from two weeks prior when a man—later identified as Vernon—had come into his office, complaining of a toothache. However, upon examination, Dr. Acton found nothing amiss. As he stepped into another room to retrieve some equipment, Vernon seized the opportunity to snatch his instruments and flee the scene.
When presented with this evidence, Vernon confessed to Sheriff Flournoy and Deputy Bert Stone that he had indeed taken the needles. However, he struggled to provide a satisfactory explanation for his actions. In a peculiar justification, he claimed that he intended to use the needles on snakes in his carnival act to prevent them from biting him. This statement raised eyebrows, as it suggested a bizarre and possibly reckless approach to his dealings with the reptiles. A subsequent medical examination confirmed that Vernon did not use narcotics, which further complicated the narrative surrounding his possession of the stolen needles and instruments. The combination of theft and his peculiar justifications painted a troubling picture of Vernon, highlighting both his criminal tendencies and the erratic nature of his behavior.
In a thorough investigation at a hotel in Plain Dealing, officers uncovered a pair of stained black oxford shoes in the room occupied by Alvin Oscar Arnsen, alias Steven Joseph Vernon, and his companion, Cecilia Doree. The discovery of these shoes raised immediate concerns, particularly regarding the nature of the stain. Deputy Bert Stone indicated that a test would be conducted by the Caddo Parish coroner to ascertain whether the stain was indeed blood, a crucial element in determining Vernon’s involvement in potential criminal activities.
Further compounding the situation, law enforcement officials discovered a hook knife in a nearby manhole, where Vernon was alleged to have discarded it. This knife was particularly significant, as Doree informed the officers that Vernon had used it while managing a bowling alley in Oil City. The combination of the stained shoes and the hook knife contributed to the mounting evidence against Vernon, suggesting a deeper involvement in illicit activities. As authorities continued their investigation, the implications of these findings began to unfold, potentially linking Vernon to more serious crimes beyond mere theft and fraud.
A Sadist:
While confined in the Caddo Parish jail, Cecilia Doree shared her experiences with police regarding her tumultuous relationship with Alvin Oscar Arnsen, also known as Steven Joseph Vernon. In a candid confession, Doree clarified that Vernon did not have a snake act as he had previously claimed; instead, they operated a bowling alley as part of their carnival ventures. This revelation contradicted Vernon’s narratives, further complicating his situation. During the investigation, Sheriff Flournoy reached out to the chief of police in Butte, Montana, only to learn that Doree was already known to law enforcement in that area, indicating a troubled history.
Doree, a blue-eyed woman from Deerlodge, Montana, opened up about her hardships, stating, “I have never had a decent break in my life.” She revealed that her husband was serving time in the Montana state penitentiary and that her infant son was being cared for by a friend in a small town near Butte. Meeting Vernon four months prior in Butte, she made the difficult choice to leave her young son behind to join him on the carnival circuit. Although she described Vernon as a well-dressed man with a way with women, she also painted a darker picture of their relationship, characterizing him as a sadist who was often brutal towards her. Doree recounted instances of physical abuse, particularly when Vernon was under the influence of alcohol. She expressed her fear of leaving him, believing that he might harm her if she attempted to escape.
In a moment of vulnerability, Doree confided to reporters that she had no idea what her future held. If she were ever released from jail, she planned to return to Montana to reunite with her child. Meanwhile, her husband remained incarcerated for robbery. The situation took a turn when Vernon, upon hearing Doree’s statements in the Shreveport Times, called for Sheriff Flournoy and accused her of knowing about the stolen articles. He claimed that she was present during the thefts and asserted that he had initially tried to protect her. However, as he put it, “since she was trying to pin everything on him,” he felt compelled to speak out, maintaining his innocence regarding the murder charges.
Ultimately, Doree was released from jail after authorities determined she was not involved in the thefts, freeing her from the immediate legal troubles that had surrounded her turbulent life with Vernon.
The Circular:
Authorities successfully identified Steven Vernon through fingerprint analysis, facilitated by a circular disseminated by the Los Angeles police department. This circular not only provided critical details about Vernon but also confirmed his status as the prime suspect in the murder indictment. The identification process was further solidified by the FBI in Washington, D.C., which corroborated the fingerprints collected. Chief Deputy Stone expressed confidence in the findings after engaging in a long-distance conversation with the chief of police in Los Angeles, who provided a comprehensive description of Vernon that matched the evidence at hand. Sheriff Howell Flournoy of Shreveport noted that Vernon was wearing the same coat mentioned in the circular, reinforcing the connection between Vernon and the ongoing investigation.
Vernon’s troubling history included a chilling connection to the March 9, 1941, slaying of Miss Leila Adele Welsh in Kansas City, Missouri. Welsh was found mutilated in her home on Rockhill Road, and the crime was so horrific that Lear B. Read, the chief of police in Kansas City at the time, characterized it as the work of a sadist. The search circular from California described Vernon as “definitely a sadist” and indicated that he was a suspect in similar cases, thus casting a dark shadow over his past actions. Further investigation revealed that Vernon had been sentenced in Kansas City under the alias Harry Fischer, during which time he had written several letters to Chief Reed, seeking assistance in obtaining a parole. Reed, however, opposed Vernon's parole requests, expressing his concerns about the convict's potential for violence.
In light of the renewed focus on Vernon, Chief Reed requested that the Los Angeles police notify him if Vernon was arrested, as he intended to send an officer to question the fugitive regarding the Welsh murder. The convergence of these investigations suggested that Vernon was not only a man with a dubious past but potentially a serial offender, raising alarms among law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.
Sheriff Flournoy characterized Arnsen as "one of the most dangerous criminals in the country," a statement underscored by the gravity of his criminal history and suspected involvement in multiple murders. Flournoy indicated that Arnsen might be linked to three similar murders in Fort Wayne, Indiana, suggesting a pattern of violence that extended beyond his immediate vicinity. This connection raised significant concerns among law enforcement officials, who feared that Arnsen's criminal behavior had escalated to a potentially lethal level.
Arnsen's extensive prison record painted a picture of a career criminal whose past was marked by serious offenses. In 1926, he received a 45-year sentence at the Missouri penitentiary after being convicted of three counts of first-degree armed highway robbery in Kansas City. This lengthy term reflected the severity of his crimes, indicating that he had been a significant threat to public safety. After serving a portion of his sentence, Arnsen was released on parole in late November 1940, a decision that would soon prove alarming given the nature of his subsequent activities.
In addition to his convictions in Missouri, Arnsen also had served time in the Wisconsin state reformatory, further adding to his reputation as a repeat offender. His release from incarceration did little to mitigate the concerns surrounding him, as his history of violence and criminality raised alarms about his potential for reoffending. Flournoy's declarations underscored the urgency for law enforcement to apprehend Arnsen, not only to prevent further crimes but also to seek justice for the victims of his alleged violent actions.
Extradition:
Back in Los Angeles, the police were busy preparing the necessary extradition papers for Steven Vernon, with Detective Robert Lohrman from the homicide detail planning to travel to Shreveport immediately to facilitate the return of Vernon to California. Sheriff Flournoy noted that Arnsen had signed a waiver of extradition, thereby allowing law enforcement to expedite the process. While Arnsen acknowledged his presence in Los Angeles at the time of the murder, he vehemently denied any involvement, claiming that he had maintained a clean record since his release from prison. Arnsen asserted that he had been striving to live a law-abiding life, a statement that seemed at odds with his extensive criminal history.
During this tense period, Chief Deputy Stone confirmed that Vernon was a native of Chicago and had experience as an expert radio technician. However, he refused to engage in work requiring a social security card, indicating a reluctance to provide further identification. While awaiting extradition, Vernon found himself the subject of media interest, with a newspaper reporter and photographer visiting him. He displayed a certain nonchalance, readily posing for photographs and asserting, "Someday all this mess will be cleared up." However, his demeanor revealed a disquieting undercurrent; as he gripped the bars of his cell, his wide-spaced blue eyes remained mostly expressionless, alternating between a distant stare and watching the door with an air of resignation.
As the two Los Angeles detectives arrived in Shreveport to escort Vernon back, he fell silent during the trip, refusing to engage in conversation. Upon reaching the Los Angeles crime lab, he surprisingly requested a lie detector test to demonstrate his innocence, claiming curiosity from a mechanical perspective. He recounted how, using his expertise as a radio technician, he had once assisted the FBI in setting up a radio station in Seattle. During the test, he maintained that he had merely stumbled upon the crime scene—an observation of a dismembered body on a bed—before fleeing out of fear of being implicated in a crime he did not commit.
However, when confronted with the results of the lie detector test, which indicated deception, Arnsen's composure crumbled. In a moment of vulnerability, he admitted, "I thought I could beat this thing, I thought I could beat it on this machine, but I guess I can't. So bring the boys in and I'll tell them everything." This admission marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, suggesting that beneath his initial bravado lay a deeper awareness of the gravity of his situation and the impending consequences of his actions.
The Confession:
Arnsen said that he had registered with Castaneda at the N Spring St rooming house as H. Fischer of San Diego, He said that they were both "high on marijuana" in his hotel room and freely admitted peddling reefers for his victim, who had a long police record for drinking and resorting. He explained his attack revolved around an argument over receipts due her for marijuana he had sold and confessed to mutilations on Castaneda's body of the same sort as done by Otto Stephen Wilson. In the course of his confession, he told police that he knew Wilson as "a fry cook in an E. Fifth St café, but only by sight."
"First I hit her over the head with a bottle. Then I guess I got mad at her. I cut her up with a Gem razor blade. I don't know why I did that to her. There must be something wrong with me."
He said that he covered the body with a sheet and slept in the room that night. He described how he left the body lying on a bed at 612 S Spring St, the night of his crime, after telling his landlady not to disturb the room. The next morning, he said, he went to a westside radio repair shop where he worked, collected some money owing him, then fled, first to Reno, later to Seattle, where he joined a small traveling carnival as a snake show concession operator. He made a statement that he spent 14 of his 39 years in Missouri state penitentiary for robbery.
He denied any connection with the mutilation murder of Mrs. Kate Brady. the 75 year old who was slugged and slain as she was returning home from mass at St Vibiana's Cathedral.
He was convicted of 2nd degree murder in Los Angeles of Castaneda's death and was sentenced to life in prison.
Inmate: #A1127 Folsom Prison
Rec: 5 Apr 1945
Transferred to San Quentin.
Alvin died in the prison hospital Jan 21, 1948 and buried in the Folsom Prison Cemetery.
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