Forensic History: The murders that made the case for Orange County’s Crime Lab

In an era when murder trials were a form of macabre entertainment for the masses, Orange County was home to one of the most sensational.

George Gollum and Beulah Louise Overell were accused of murdering Overell’s parents by staging an explosion aboard their yacht on March 15, 1947.

Beulah’s parents did not approve of her relationship with George and they threatened to disinherit her, so the young couple planned their murder out of frustration and greed, according to prosecutors.

When the yacht exploded in Newport Harbor, it initially was suspected that a gasoline leak was the culprit. However, investigators quickly set their sights on murder when they found more than 30 sticks of dynamite wired to an alarm clock detonator and attached to the boat’s battery. An autopsy of the Overells’ bodies also showed they were bludgeoned to death before the explosion occurred.

The case was highly publicized and garnered national attention, which prompted the State Attorney General to take over prosecution of the case.

Orange County did not have its own crime lab at the time, so the evidence was sent out, including the victims’ bodies, the suspects’ bloody clothes, a receipt for the dynamite found on the suspects and wire and tape collected from the suspects’ car that was similar to what was used in the explosion.

The evidence mounted against Beulah and George, but each time the prosecution presented a new piece of evidence in court, the judge would not allow it. Delays in processing ultimately led to the young couple’s acquittal.

The outcome of this trial prompted Orange County to form its own Crime Lab in 1948 so that analysis of important evidence would remain in Orange County.  

A deputy-involved shooting occurred today in the city of Stanton at approximately 5:20 p.m. While on patrol at approximately 5:15 p.m., a deputy identified a stolen vehicle near the corner of Beach Blvd. and Chapman Ave. The vehicle was reported stolen today out of the city of Garden Grove. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop and the vehicle failed to yield, leading to a short high-speed pursuit. The pursuit terminated near the area of Dale Ave. and Cerritos Ave. A deputy-involved shooting occurred. Deputies rendered medical aid to the subject, a male Asian in his 30s. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

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STANTON, Ca. (Sept. 18, 2020) – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.

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DANA POINT, Ca. (Sept. 18, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous an dillegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Monday, Sept. 21, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking ,texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

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San Clemente, Ca. (Sept. 18, 2020) – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules and responsibilities.

On Monday, Sept. 21, deputies will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, "Go Safely, California." To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the early morning hours of September 9, 2020, Orange County Central Women’s Jail deputies responded to the activation of an emergency call button within a housing area. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 35 year old female inmate was suffering from a medical problem.

Deputies assessed the victim, who was unable to verbally respond. Deputies determined she was choking and swiftly went into action. Deputies assisted the victim to her feet and performed the Heimlich maneuver multiple times until an object became dislodged and the victim was able to breathe and talk again. Deputies escorted the victim to the medical dispensary where she underwent additional treatment by Correctional Health Services and is expected to fully recover.

We commend Central Women’s Jail deputies for their swift actions in performing these lifesaving measures.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Saturday, Sept. 19, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

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MEDAL OF COURAGE: Pursuit of armed bank robber

On April 19, 2019 at approximately 3:50 p.m., a robbery occurred in Dana Point.  Deputies located the suspect vehicle, but lost sight of it during a high-speed pursuit.

About 20 minute later, Deputy Rivas spotted a vehicle matching the suspect’s vehicle on the 5 freeway.  He attempted to pull the vehicle over, but before Deputy Rivas could exit his vehicle, the suspect made a U-turn and sped into oncoming traffic.   The suspect then put his vehicle in reverse and rammed the front passenger side of the deputy’s vehicle.  While Deputy Rivas called for assistance, the suspect rammed his vehicle a second time. Based on the suspect’s violent actions and vehicle description, Deputy Rivas was confident he had found the bank robber and initiated a pursuit.   

In an attempt to elude capture, the suspect took off and started driving on the wrong side of the road and, at times, accelerated to speeds over 100 miles per hour. 

Deputy White was attempting to join the pursuit when he saw a muzzle flash inside the suspect’s vehicle.  He quickly realized the suspect was firing a weapon.  Deputy Rivas heard the muffled gunshots and immediately broadcasted “shots fired.”  Deputy White assumed the lead position in the pursuit, as Deputy Rivas was driving an unmarked patrol vehicle. 

Despite the risks, both deputies stayed in pursuit, putting their lives in danger.  The suspect continued to run red lights and travel at high rates of speed, often times pulling away from the pursuing deputies.  The suspect ultimately crashed his vehicle in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita.  

Deputies Rivas and White held their positions and attempted to conduct a felony car stop, but the incident came to an end when the suspect succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The deputies received the Medal of Courage for their actions that day.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Ca. (Sept. 15, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Friday, Sept. 18, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (Sept. 14, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Thursday, Sept. 17, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

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