cover of episode Episode 624: The Murder of Cheryl Perveler

Episode 624: The Murder of Cheryl Perveler

2024/12/5
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本案讲述了Cheryl Perveler被谋杀的离奇故事，警方调查发现这并非一起简单的抢劫案，而是一场精心策划的保险诈骗，受害者Cheryl Perveler的丈夫Paul Perveler和其情妇Christina Cromwell涉嫌重大。Paul Perveler曾是洛杉矶警察局警员，后因违规行为被解雇。他与Christina Cromwell长期保持不正当关系，并多次利用保险诈骗谋取暴利。在杀害Cheryl Perveler之前，他们还涉嫌杀害了Christina Cromwell的前夫Marlon Cromwell，并试图杀害Paul Perveler的前妻Layla Perveler。尽管缺乏直接证据证明Paul Perveler和Christina Cromwell亲自实施了谋杀，但大量间接证据表明两人策划并参与了这些犯罪活动，最终两人均被判刑。 本案中，Paul Perveler展现出极度冷酷和暴力倾向，对前妻Layla Perveler实施长期的家庭暴力，并多次试图谋杀她。他与Christina Cromwell合谋杀害两人，目的在于骗取巨额保险金。尽管Paul Perveler没有直接开枪，但他的策划和指挥作用是不可否认的。Christina Cromwell虽然参与其中，但其行为更多地受到Paul Perveler的操控和胁迫。本案揭示了人性的阴暗面，以及金钱和权力对人性的扭曲。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did investigators initially suspect Cheryl Perveler's husband, Paul Perveler, in her murder?

Investigators suspected Paul due to his checkered past, obsession with wealth and power, and the inscribed gun found at the crime scene with his name.

What significant evidence did detectives find in Cheryl Perveler's car?

They found a .32 caliber automatic pistol inscribed with 'love Paul,' Cheryl's purse with $35, two .25 caliber shells, and two unfired .25 caliber rounds.

Why did neighbors not call the police when they heard gunshots?

Multiple neighbors heard gunshots but did not call the police, which is a common but concerning behavior in such situations.

What was the motive behind Marlon Cromwell's murder, according to investigators?

Christina Cromwell took out a life insurance policy on Marlon just two months before his death, suggesting a motive of financial gain.

How did Paul Perveler's ex-wife, Layla, react to the news of Cheryl's death?

Layla started trembling and could not get her hands to be steady, indicating a strong emotional response.

What did Layla Halverson reveal about Paul Perveler's personality during their marriage?

Layla described Paul as volatile, moody, and violent, with incidents of physical abuse and attempts on her life.

Who did Alan Halverson implicate in the murder of Marlon Cromwell?

Alan Halverson implicated Paul Perveler, stating that Paul confessed to killing Marlon Cromwell while they were drunk.

What was the outcome of Paul and Christina's trial?

Paul was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, while Christina was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder.

How did California's repeal of the death penalty affect Paul Perveler's sentence?

Paul's death sentence was commuted to life in prison, making him eligible for parole as early as 1984.

What additional crimes did Christina Cromwell reveal about Paul Perveler during a parole hearing?

Christina revealed that Paul attempted to have his parents murdered during a trip to Mexico and that she was involved in helping him flee after attacking Layla.

Chapters
The episode begins with the discovery of Cheryl Perveler's body in her car, leading investigators to initially suspect a robbery. However, the presence of money and a gun inscribed with "Love Paul" raises questions.
  • Cheryl Perveler found shot in her car
  • Initial assumption of robbery
  • .32 caliber pistol found with inscription "Love Paul"
  • Discrepancies with robbery theory

Shownotes Transcript

When police were called to the scene of shooting at the Castillion Apartments in Los Angeles on April 20, 1968, they assumed the victim, twenty-two-year-old Cheryl Perveler, had been shot in a robbery gone wrong. However, when they began looking into her personal life, they soon realized Cheryl’s killer could have been much closer to home.

In most cases of individual murders, detectives always look at the spouse first, and in this case, there was a lot to look at. Cheryl had recently married Paul Perveler, a former Los Angeles Police officer with a checkered past and an obvious obsession with wealth and power. Yet the more they investigated Paul Perveler, the more detectives began to suspect they didn’t have just one murder on their hands, and it was starting to look like Cheryl’s death was the culmination of a larger and far more shocking conspiracy than anyone had expected. 

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Braxton, Greg. 1982. "Woman asks public to keep killer ex-husband jailed." Los Angeles Times, September 19: 529.

Bugliosi, Vincent, and Ken Hurwitz. 2004. Till Death Do Us Part: A True Murder Mystery. New York, NY: W.W. Norton and Company.

  1. A Crime to Remember. Performed by Christine Connor and Elise Graves.

Eintoss, Ron. 1969. "Death penalty asked in insurance murders." Los Angeles Times, February 25: 26.

—. 1969. "Jury asks death for Perveler, life in prison for girlfriend." Los Angeles Times, February 26: 29.

El Sereno Star. 1966. "Gun victim found in house fire." El Sereno Star, December 15: 1.

Farr, Bill. 1986. "Ex-officer in prison for killing fails in parole bid." Los Angeles Times, August 30: 2.

Haynes, Roy, and Dial Torgerson. 1968. "Murder charges filed against pair in double indemnity case." Los Angeles Times, May 3: 3.

Los Angeles Times. 1968. "Ex-officer, woman ask seperate trials." Los Angeles Times, November 15: 41.

Newton, Tom, and Dial Torgerson. 1968. "Ex-policeman, woman accused of killing mates for insuarance." Los Angeles Times, May 2: 1.

The Register. 1969. "First degree murder asked in mates case." The Register (Santa Ana, CA), February 5: 15.

United Press International. 1969. "Dual murder case goes to jury soon." Stockton Evening and Sunday Record, February 12: 11.

Valley Times. 1968. "Transcript says alleged killer told of slaying." Valley Times, May 21:

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