What happened to Barry & Louise Berman?
In 1986, a couple on a camping trip at clothing-optional hot springs in the Mojave Desert set out for a morning walk and never returned. Eventually it became apparent that Barry and Louise Berman had been murdered.
As time passed and the double homicide remained unsolved, the Berman case spawned speculation and conjecture. Was it a robbery gone bad? Did they stumble upon drug traffickers?
Despite years of investigation by local and federal authorities, to date there’s never been an arrest made in the case, let alone a criminal conviction.
The Berman Murders, a true-crime story by lawyer and investigative journalist Doug Kari, marks the culmination of a years-long quest to unravel the mystery of what happened to Barry & Louise.
The Victims
"Where they pitched camp that evening isn’t known, but the surrounding desert offered countless choices. Together under the stars, in a universe still expanding, husband and wife enjoyed a night of peacefulness and possibilities, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead."
The Suspect
"Although most of the time he seemed mellow and soft-spoken, lurking underneath was a certain fierceness. Said someone who was close to Mike as a youngster: 'He could explode.'"
The Crime Scene
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"At this point the full length of Saline Valley came into view, with mountains on both sides, waves of sand dunes along part of the valley floor, and at the deepest point, a silvery saltwater lake. It was, and remains, one of the most pristine and hauntingly beautiful landscapes on the North American continent."
The Murder Investigation
"As the two Inyo County sheriff’s investigators drove away, they traded thoughts about the interview. Both lawmen reached the same conclusion. 'We were pretty sure he was the guy.'"
Sex Crimes Investigation
"Sang and Pepe would sit out on the elevated balcony, facing the street, and chat in the manner of a well-to-do American expat and his attractive younger spouse. Neighbors and passersby had no reason to suspect the awful reality of what took place inside."
The Courtroom
"As a transport van carried Michael Pepe to the courthouse, he could see scenes of everyday life: pedestrians strolling along sidewalks, coffee shops serving morning brew, cars and trucks navigating traffic, workers walking into office buildings. All that stood between Pepe and the delicious freedom he hadn’t tasted since 2006 was the jury of twelve people who’d been selected in Judge Fischer’s courtroom the day before."
The Prison
"It’s also plausible that Pepe bragged about killing the Bermans in effort to elevate his jailhouse status or build relationships with prisoners who could protect him. Respect and friendship are two of the most precious commodities in prison and can mean the difference between hard time and an easier ride, and even between life and death."
Articles About the Case
https://www.laweekly.com/a-1986-double-murder-cold-case-in-the-mojave-desert-is-finally-unraveling/
https://www.laweekly.com/appellate-court-reverses-sex-crimes-conviction-of-double-murder-suspect/
https://lbpost.com/news/michael-pepe-cambodia-retrail-marines
About the Author
I’m a lawyer and investigative journalist who focuses on law, crime, technology, and the outdoors. My writing strives to combine in-depth research with pointed analysis. Stories of mine have been featured in LA Weekly, Ars Technica, Las Vegas Review-Journal, San Diego Union-Tribune, Long Beach Post, SF Daily Journal, and other respected outlets.
https://muckrack.com/journada
CONTACT
for more information please email doug kari at yahoo.com