Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore
(Crime House Holiday Special: The Santa Claus Massacre | From Murder: True Crime Stories)
Release Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Guest Host Carter Roy (standing in for Morgan and Kaelyn)
Episode Overview
This chilling holiday special explores the haunting story of the 2008 Santa Claus Massacre in Covina, California. Through detailed storytelling and forensic analysis, Carter Roy guides listeners through the rise and fall of Bruce Pardo: from an apparently goofy, charming engineer to a man locked in a cycle of bitterness and revenge. The episode traces the close-knit Ortega family’s journey, their tragic intersection with Bruce, and the warning signs that led to the horrific events of Christmas Eve.
Case Introduction: The Tragedy on Christmas Eve
Key Moments:
- The Ortega family's tradition of gathering for the holidays in Covina.
- On Christmas Eve 2008, a man dressed as Santa Claus arrived at their doorstep, transforming a joyful celebration into a night of unimaginable violence.
- The episode serves as Part One, focusing on the events leading up to the massacre.
Quote:
“But when a man dressed as Santa Claus knocked on their door, the evening transformed into one of the most devastating crimes in California history.”
—Carter Roy [00:01]
The Ortega Family: History and Resilience
The Immigrant Foundation and Family Bonds
- Joe Ortega, son of Mexican immigrants, became the first US-born Ortega (born 1928).
- Married Alicia de Sotomayor in 1955—true love, shared values, quick courtship.
- The couple built a successful family paint business and established strong family ties in Covina, LA.
Quote:
“He and Alicia went out to dinner in the theater … They shared the same taste in music. … When Joe asked for her hand in marriage after just three weeks of dating, Alicia was over the moon.”
—Carter Roy [05:54]
The Children
- Oldest son James: driven, hard worker, started his own business.
- Charles: more easy-going, stayed with the family business.
- Daughters: Alicia, Sylvia, and Leticia.
- The Ortegas prized family above all, gathering for holidays and supporting each other through life’s hardships.
Sylvia Ortega: Strength Through Adversity
Early Life & Tragedy
- Sylvia married young, had a daughter, and was pregnant with a second child when her husband died in a car accident (ca. 1988).
- Family support helped her raise her children as a single mother.
Attempts at New Beginnings
- Remarried to George Orza, relocated to Oklahoma, struggled with his alcoholism, and eventually returned to LA after a second divorce with three children in tow.
- Maintained a focus on supporting her children and working administrative jobs.
Enter Bruce Pardo: Charismatic Outsider With Hidden Darkness
First Impressions
- Introduced by a family connection, Bruce appeared affable, funny, working as a software engineer at NASA’s JPL.
- Quickly embraced by Sylvia and the Ortegas.
Quote:
“He and Sylvia hit it off right away. … Bruce seemed like an open book. Sylvia had no idea that he was keeping some very dark secrets.”
—Carter Roy [14:43]
Bruce’s Checkered Past
Early Red Flags
- Grew up in Los Angeles; his technical skills took him to JPL, but he shirked responsibilities and hacked into NASA’s pay system out of curiosity.
- Left his fiancé Delia at the altar after draining their joint account—never apologized, never repaid.
Quote:
“Bruce took all the money out of their joint account, about $3,000, which is almost $8,000 in today's money, and ran away to Palm Springs. Eventually, Bruce showed up at work like nothing had happened, tanned and happy…”
—Carter Roy [16:12]
Family Man Facade
- Had a son, Matthew, with girlfriend Elena Lucano in 2000, but after a near-drowning left the child with brain damage, Bruce abandoned them both.
- Never paid support, only communicated via attorneys, even as his son’s medical bills soared.
Relationship with Sylvia
- Met Sylvia in 2004. They married in 2006, bought a house, seemed the picture of suburban happiness.
- Quickly, Bruce grew distant and obsessed over finances—despite making good money.
The Unraveling: Secrets Exposed and Marriage Breakdown
The Turning Point: Discovery of Bruce’s Past
- Bruce’s mother, Nancy, revealed his abandonment of his disabled child to Sylvia.
- Sylvia couldn’t reconcile Bruce’s behavior with her own values, especially his lack of remorse and tax fraud.
Quote:
“This wasn’t the man Sylvia thought she’d married. It was too much for her to forgive. So in March 2008, Sylvia filed for legal separation.”
—Carter Roy [28:47]
Escalation of Conflict
- Bruce lashed out, kicking Sylvia and her daughter out of their home.
- The couple entered contentious divorce proceedings—Bruce’s support payments bounced, his job fired him for fraud, and he increasingly isolated himself.
Bruce’s Descent: Isolation, Obsession, and Plotting
Patterns of Violence and Planning
- Amid escalating bitterness, Bruce began stockpiling weapons:
- Over several months, purchased five 9mm handguns and high-capacity magazines (illegally sourced from out of state).
- Ordered a custom Santa suit in September—months ahead of Christmas, specifically for his large stature.
Quote:
“Between handguns and costumes, the only thing he didn’t seem to have the money for was his spousal support payments to Sylvia.”
—Carter Roy [31:18]
Increasing Estrangement and Bitterness
- Bruce’s social circle shrank. His mother supported Sylvia during the divorce hearing.
- He took a trip to Iowa to see an old friend, venting about feeling abandoned and wronged.
- Even while pretending to move forward, Bruce quietly amassed ammunition and finalized preparations for a violent act.
The Final Weeks
The Divorce Settlement
- Divorce finalized December 18, 2008.
- Bruce owed Sylvia a lump sum and lost his house and, most painfully for him, the family dog.
“But the real kicker was that the court awarded Sylvia possession of their dog, Saki. The dog had been Bruce’s only companion for months, and now it was gone, along with everything else Bruce once held dear.”
—Carter Roy [37:31]
The Breaking Point
- For Bruce, the separation wasn’t just personal—it was the catalyst that pushed him past the brink.
- Months of calculated preparation left Bruce ready to strike in a way that would forever shatter the Ortega family and the community.
Memorable Quote:
"Bruce knew he was going to make them all pay soon enough. It would be a Christmas none of them would ever forget."
—Carter Roy [38:21]
Notable Quotes and Timestamps
-
“But when a man dressed as Santa Claus knocked on their door, the evening transformed into one of the most devastating crimes in California history.”
— [00:01], Carter Roy -
“He and Alicia went out to dinner in the theater. ... They shared the same taste in music.”
— [05:58], Carter Roy -
“Bruce seemed like an open book. Sylvia had no idea that he was keeping some very dark secrets.”
— [14:48], Carter Roy -
“He’d been abandoned by the people he believed were supposed to love him the most.”
— [34:19], Carter Roy -
“Bruce knew he was going to make them all pay soon enough. It would be a Christmas none of them would ever forget.”
— [38:21], Carter Roy
Important Segment Timestamps
| Time | Segment Content | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01-03:37 | Case introduction, crime overview, Ortega family holiday routine | | 05:00-11:10 | Ortega family history, values, and close-knit bonds | | 11:10-14:43 | Sylvia’s marital and personal adversities | | 14:43-18:10 | Bruce Pardo’s background and warning signs | | 18:10-24:55 | Bruce’s betrayals: runaway groom, neglect of disabled son, patterns of escape | | 24:55-29:08 | Sylvia & Bruce’s relationship, marriage, and breakdown | | 30:32-38:21 | Divorce spiral, gun buying, isolation, buildup of revenge | | 38:21-end | Final divorce settlement, Bruce’s emotional collapse, cliffhanger for part two|
Tone and Storytelling Style
Carter Roy’s narration blends detailed investigative insight with empathy and suspense, maintaining respect for the victims while uncovering the deeply troubling trajectory of Bruce Pardo. The holiday backdrop intensifies the tragedy, making the contrast between family warmth and looming catastrophe all the more haunting.
Takeaways and Teaser for Part 2
- The Covina massacre is rooted in years of missed warning signs, unresolved trauma, and unaddressed violence.
- Bruce’s ability to hide his true nature had catastrophic consequences.
- The episode concludes before the massacre itself, leaving listeners with a sense of dread at the impending tragedy.
Outro Tease (for next episode):
“Come back next time for part two of this story and all the people it affected.”
—Carter Roy [38:31]
For listeners wanting a suspenseful, in-depth exploration of what leads someone to commit an unthinkable crime at the heart of a loving family’s holiday, this episode is a masterclass in true crime storytelling.