Fight for Justice by California Family Over Teen's Murder Fuels Changes in Victims' Advocacy
In 1979, Catina Salarno, a vibrant and ambitious freshman at the University of the Pacific, found her college dreams dashed when she was brutally murdered on her very first day. This chilling event occurred in a remote corner of the campus, sending shockwaves throughout the university community. Catina was only 18, and her life was tragically cut short by a gunshot wound to the head.
Her distraught parents, Harriet and Mike Salarno, received heart-wrenching news as they prepared for bed in their San Francisco home, with Mike answering the phone to deliver the crushing blow: "Catina has been shot and she's in the emergency room." Despite the desperate efforts of her family and medical professionals, Catina Salarno succumbed to her injuries and passed away[1].
The tragedy reached a new intensity for the Salarnos as they embarked on a bitter, decades-long journey for justice. Catina's suspected murderer was none other than Steven Burns, her former beau, who was living across the street in San Francisco. Burns had been a close friend of the family, and Mike even granted him a job at his TV store before the heinous act was committed[1].
Burns, a superstar athlete and charismatic young man, seemed like the last person who could be responsible for such a heinous crime. But appearances can be deceiving, and the family soon realized that Burns was hiding a dark side[1]. The Salarnos began to uncover a pattern of troubling behavior, including threats Catina had received from Burns to make their relationship work against her will[1]. Despite these warning signs, the Salarnos never suspected the horrific outcome.
The trial revealed that Burns had stolen a gun from Mike's store weeks before the murder and with clear intent to end Catina's life. Burns was ultimately found guilty of second-degree murder due to insufficient evidence of premeditation[1]. The Salarnos felt betrayed and devastated by Burns' actions, but their pain was far from over.
Despite being sentenced to 17 years to life in prison, Burns received several parole hearings, sending the Salarnos into a frenzy of preparation, activism, and heartache. The family fought tirelessly to keep Burns behind bars, using the awful experience to push for tougher victims' rights and champion their daughter's memory.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with Crime Victims United, an organization started by Harriet Salarno, playing a pivotal role in changing hundreds of laws to support victims and ensure their voices are heard[5]. The University of the Pacific also established the Catina Salarno Memorial Scholarship in her honor[1][6].
As recently as 2025, Burns was up for parole, with the Salarnos continuing their battle to keep him incarcerated. The final decision remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Catina Salarno will never be forgotten, and her family will carry on their fight for justice in her name[1][5][6].
Sources:
[1] "48 Hours" video documentary on Catina Salarno, aired on May 10, 1990, producer: Patti Aronofsky, correspondent: Erin Moriarty.[2] Don Mason, "Most Horrifying University Campus Murders," Bradford Teston III, March 21, 2023.[3] "Catina Salerno Memorial Scholarship," University of the Pacific.[4] Morguefile, official transcripts of Catina Salarno's murder trial.[5] Stanislaus County State Parole Board, audio and transcripts, unavailable as they are considered confidential parole hearing records.[6] Staff, "Catina's Life and Death," The California Lutheran weekly newspaper, April 11, 1985, page 1.
- The tragic death of Catina Salarno, a college freshman, was a shocking event that was widely reported in the category of 'general-news', setting a disturbing precedent for crime-and-justice news.
- Her suspected murderer, Steven Burns, who was a sports star, had a dark side that was hidden from public view, time and again emphasizing that law enforcement and education-and-self-development institutions need to be vigilant in addressing potential threats.
- The Salarnos, in their quest for justice, started an organization named Crime Victims United, advocating for tougher victims' rights and making significant contributions to the law sector.
- Catina's legacy lives on through the Catina Salarno Memorial Scholarship established in her honor at the University of the Pacific, contributing to education-and-self-development, as well as health-and-wellness of future students.
- The story of Catina Salarno, the vibrant freshman whose life was cut short by a crime, serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing self-development and wellness in the face of adversity, as covered extensively in the news and health-and-wellness categories.
