Episode 624: The Murder of Cheryl Perveler

Dec 5, 2024

The dark tale of Cheryl Perveler unfolds as detectives explore her murder, initially suspected to be a robbery gone wrong. Investigations reveal a tangled web of personal relationships, focusing on her husband, Paul, a former officer with a controversial past. As authorities dig deeper, it becomes clear that her death might be part of a larger, shocking conspiracy. Jurors witness the dramatic courtroom scenes that highlight disturbing secrets and unsettling motivations, leaving listeners questioning what truly lies beneath this tragic case.

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ANECDOTE

The Murder of Cheryl Perveler

Cheryl Perveler was found shot and beaten in her car.
Neighbors heard gunshots but didn't call the police, and a strange inscription was found on a gun in the car.

ANECDOTE

The Death of Marlon Cromwell

Marlon Cromwell, Christina's husband, was found shot and his house set on fire.
Christina had a life insurance policy on Marlon and was linked to Paul Perveler.

ANECDOTE

Layla's Experience with Paul

Paul's first wife, Layla, suffered abuse and suspicious hit-and-runs during their marriage.
She believed Paul orchestrated these incidents for insurance money.

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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.

2017. 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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