OCDA To Seek Death Penalty for Pair of Alleged Serial Killers

Orange County prosecutors announced today they will seek the death penalty against a registered sex offender charged in the rape- murders of four women in Anaheim and Santa Ana.

Franc Cano, 29, of Anaheim, joins co-defendant Steven Dean Gordon, 47, in facing the death penalty. Prosecutors announced in December they would seek death for Gordon.

The two will be tried separately. They were on track for trials in the courtroom of Orange County Superior Court James Stotler, but he is retiring April 4 and has decided to take on part-time duty.

Cano and Gordon, registered sex offenders, are accused of going on a rampage that led to the deaths of four women.

Only the body of 21-year-old Jarrae Nykkole Estepp has been found. Investigators recovered her remains on March 14, 2013, in an Anaheim recycling facility.

The other victims are Kianna Jackson, 20, of Las Vegas, Josephine Vargas, 34, and Martha Anaya, 28, both of Santa Ana.

Related: Mom of Murder Victim About Serial Killer Suspects: 'If They Were Monitored Correctly Maybe None of This Would Have Happened'

Sex offenders fled state before killings

City News Service