48 Hours: The Spirits of El Segundo
Episode Release Date: January 29, 2025
Host/Author: CBS News
Production: Award-winning reporting by CBS News correspondents
1. The Crime of 1957: A Night of Terror
On the night of July 22, 1957, El Segundo, a tranquil community in Los Angeles County, was shattered by a heinous crime that left an indelible mark on its residents. A group of four teenagers—Bob Duer, his friends, and their 15-year-old dates—were driving home from a summer party in a 1949 Ford on Lovers Lane. Seeking a moment of innocent fun, they stopped to watch planes land. However, their night took a dark turn when a gunman forcibly entered their car.
Bob Duer recounts his harrowing experience:
"We were high school sweethearts. The first time I saw him, I thought he was beautiful. And I said to myself, I'd like to marry that guy."
(Timestamp 12:45)
The perpetrator, unarmed initially, demanded their cars and threatened their lives. He forcibly removed their clothing, raped one of the female teenagers, and forced all four teenagers out into the open field. As they trembled in fear, the sinister reality set in.
The gunman attempted to escape in their stolen Ford, but a fatal mistake would soon lead to a tragic encounter with law enforcement. Lt. Craig Cleary, an investigator with the El Segundo Police Department, details the aftermath:
"Someone got away with murdering two police officers. Someone got away with raping a woman."
(Timestamp 25:30)
2. The Immediate Aftermath: Bloodshed and Loss
As the suspect fled the scene, he failed to notice a marked police unit parked nearby. Officer Richard Phillips and Officer Milton Curtis proceeded to conduct what they believed was a routine traffic stop. However, the situation escalated rapidly when they realized the gravity of the earlier robbery and rape.
Officer Phillips sadly recalls:
"Officer Curtis was in the center of the police car and Officer Phillips was out on the side in the dirt. Phillips had been fatally wounded, shot three times in the back."
(Timestamp 30:20)
The killer had already shot both officers dead, leaving the community in shock and mourning. Jean Curtis, Milton's widow, shares her heartbreak:
"We didn't get to say goodbye. Just a few hours later, Jean Curtis would find out she was no longer a 23-year-old wife. She was now a 23-year-old widow."
(Timestamp 35:10)
3. The Unsolved Mystery: Decades of Haunting Questions
For 46 years, the brutal murders of Officers Phillips and Curtis remained unsolved. The El Segundo community grappled with fear and frustration as authorities scoured countless leads without success. Deputy District Attorney Darren Levine reflects on the relentless pursuit:
"This case has been haunting the people of El Segundo and especially those in the police department for almost 50 years now. How could a guy come out and commit all these crimes and then disappear all this time?"
(Timestamp 45:00)
Investigators faced numerous challenges, including limited technological capabilities and the absence of crucial evidence. The lack of a report detailing the initial robbery and rape further complicated the hunt for the killer.
4. The Breakthrough: Harnessing Modern Technology
The landscape of criminal investigation underwent a seismic shift post-September 11, 2001, with the establishment of a nationwide fingerprint database by the FBI. This innovation became instrumental in solving cold cases like El Segundo's.
Detectives Kevin Lowe and Dan McElderry spearheaded the renewed investigation. Their pivotal moment came when a fingerprint from the 1957 crime scene was digitally processed and matched against the expansive database.
"When the killer... was found in a matter of minutes,"
(Timestamp 1:10:45)
The fingerprint match identified Gerald F. Mason, a retiree living in Columbia, South Carolina, as the prime suspect. Despite Mason's clean criminal record beyond a 1956 burglary, the fingerprint evidence was irrefutable.
5. The Arrest and Trial: Confronting the Past
Armed with compelling forensic evidence, Prosecutor Darren Levine and his team moved swiftly to apprehend Mason. Upon his arrest, Mason exhibited confusion and denial:
"I don't understand why you're here. You've come here for me."
(Timestamp 1:25:30)
Despite his community reputation as a loving husband and friend, the weight of the evidence led Mason to plead guilty to the murders. In a poignant courtroom moment, Mason acknowledged his crimes:
"On July 22, 1957, you acknowledge that you murdered Officer Phillips and Officer Curtis willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation."
(Timestamp 1:40:15)
Mason received a life sentence, providing a sense of closure for the families and the El Segundo community. However, lingering questions about his motives and the absence of remembered intent left some unresolved emotions.
6. The Human Toll: Healing and Reflection
The resolution of this decades-old case brought mixed emotions. While justice was served, the scars endured by the families of the victims remained deep.
Carolyn Phillips, daughter of Officer Richard Phillips, shares her enduring pain:
"The Phillips children... were also scarred for life. We lived our lives without dad."
(Timestamp 1:55:50)
Meanwhile, the detectives involved found solace in finally solving the case:
"Peace of mind. That's it. Peace of mind."
(Timestamp 2:05:30)
Darren Levine emphasizes the collective effort and the importance of never forgetting the victims:
"Generations of police officers determined to protect their own... It's the culmination of my career in law enforcement."
(Timestamp 2:10:45)
7. Conclusion: A Community Mourns and Moves Forward
Half a century after the tragic events of July 22, 1957, El Segundo begins to heal as the painful memories are finally addressed. Gerald Mason passed away in prison in 2017, marking the end of a long chapter in this small community's history.
The case underscores the evolution of criminal investigations and the relentless pursuit of justice, offering hope that even the coldest cases can find resolution with perseverance and advancements in technology.
Detective Kevin Lowe reflects on the journey:
"A lot of people put their hearts and soul into it. There's not much more satisfying thing I've ever done in law enforcement."
(Timestamp 2:15:20)
48 Hours honors the legacy of those lost and celebrates the tenacity of those who seek truth, reminding listeners that justice, no matter how delayed, holds profound significance for the families and communities impacted by crime.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
-
"We were high school sweethearts. The first time I saw him, I thought he was beautiful. And I said to myself, I'd like to marry that guy."
— Bob Duer (12:45) -
"Someone got away with murdering two police officers. Someone got away with raping a woman."
— Lt. Craig Cleary (25:30) -
"This case has been haunting the people of El Segundo... How could a guy come out and commit all these crimes and then disappear all this time?"
— Deputy DA Darren Levine (45:00) -
"When the killer... was found in a matter of minutes."
— Detectives Lowe and McElderry (1:10:45) -
"I don't understand why you're here. You've come here for me."
— Gerald F. Mason (1:25:30) -
"Peace of mind. That's it. Peace of mind."
— Detective Lowe (2:05:30) -
"A lot of people put their hearts and soul into it. There's not much more satisfying thing I've ever done in law enforcement."
— Detective Lowe (2:15:20)
This episode of 48 Hours meticulously unpacks a decades-old mystery, blending archival footage, personal testimonies, and expert analysis to bring closure to a case that once seemed unsolvable. Through unwavering dedication and the power of modern forensic science, the spirits of El Segundo find some measure of peace.