In a small town in Kern County, California, a chilling murder case shocked the community and left a young woman dead. Daniel Gunnarsson, a 23-year-old man, was convicted of the brutal murder of Katie Pham, his unrequited romantic interest.
Katie Pham, a 21-year-old woman, and Daniel Gunnarsson had a brief casual relationship. However, what started as a simple connection quickly turned sour.
Gunnarsson’s behavior became increasingly hostile towards Pham when she did not reciprocate his feelings. Friends of Pham recounted instances where Gunnarsson exhibited possessive and controlling behavior, indicating a deep-seated resentment towards her.
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One friend recalled an incident where Gunnarsson drove erratically at high speeds while Pham was on the phone, not paying attention to him.
This behavior demonstrated the intensity of his anger and desire for her undivided attention. Additionally, another friend overheard Gunnarsson insulting Pham over the phone when she refused to visit his home. It was clear that Gunnarsson’s feelings towards Pham had soured, and his actions were becoming increasingly alarming.
In May 2021, Gunnarsson reached out to Pham, expressing remorse and asking to meet up. Pham, perhaps unaware of the danger that awaited her, agreed to the meeting.
Gunnarsson picked her up from her apartment and took her to his stepfather’s residence in Kern County. Little did Pham know that this encounter would be her last.
Gunnarsson led Pham to the RV garage at the residence, where the horrifying events would unfold.
Painters working at the property heard a woman screaming, followed by the sound of items being moved.
The scene that awaited them when they entered the garage was nothing short of a nightmare. The painters opened the garage to discover Gunnarsson drenched in blood.
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Investigators discovered that Gunnarsson struck the woman ten times in the head, neck, and face while wearing gloves and wielding a 24-inch ice ax.
Afterward, he made sexual contact with “her remains.” In the process, he removed some of her clothing.
“Our only consolation would be for justice to be served so that Katie could rest easy and Ridgecrest as a community could rest easy with her,” her father, Tom Pham, said in a vigil in June 2021, The Daily Independent reported.
On Thursday, Gunnarsson was sentenced to 27 years and four months to life in prison, with credit for 892 days—nearly two and a half years—for time served. He also was ordered to pay $440.00 in fees and restitution in total.
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