The murder of Cara Knott: 36 years later

Thirty six years ago on December 27, 1986, a 20-year-old San Diego State student was murdered by an on-duty California Highway Patrol officer in North County.
After strangling Cara Knott and dumping her body off Interstate 15, officer Craig Peyer continued his shift as if nothing had happened.

In this story from the CBS 8 archives, we look back at the case, after two trials, as our Chris Saunders reported.
MORE: www.cbs8.com/a...

[@leavesongrass]

I remember….let’s make sure he doesn’t get paroled in 2027!

[@christopher5585]

He should live out the remainder of his life in prison.

[@kellyriley-duckworth4738]

I remember this well, as her and I were close to the same age. My mom worried relentlessly every time I would drive the 15 going to San Diego. I still think of her every time I pass by there, which is often. I come from a family of law enforcement, so it shook us up and made us question our trust. RIP Miss Knott.

[@mattyrock2467]

so did I. I was in the navy stationed in san diego from 1984-1987 and this was big news during that time. What a damm shame.

[@commanderbell1965]

That the year I moved to San Diego she's around my age when she died. 😥

[@christopher5585]

Sure does hit home.

[@victor543211000]

I never forget this case. I saw it at Discovery. The police that found the body said that when Cara`s Knott knew she was dead he said: "Oh! What a pity! You woud like her, she was so sweet!" I cried when I heard that.

[@KateTheSleepyTeacher]

When he says “I didn’t even DOOO it”, he sounds annoyed to be caught. What a piece of garbage.

[@22lyric]

I'm SO sorry for her family! Heartbreaking!.

[@holtridge7337]

Cara was beautiful. She didn't deserve what happened to her. I hope to meet her when I get to Heaven.

[@oldcrone]

Now with cellphone video we have evidence.

[@toddgraham6006]

He doesn’t deserve to be paroled. He’s held up to a higher standard as a sworn California Peace Officer. I hope he stays in prison!!

[@realboltfan]

I knew her... she was my teachers assistant. She was amazing had the biggest crush on her...

[@DarkyTDW]

Odds that this happened at the same year as Tim and Jason?

[@Ayaki6166]

I watched The FBI Files. It was horrible.

[@carinfelska5774]

I remember this I lived of san Vincente in Ramona California, I would not pull over on that black street I was told if I don't stop they would have shot me. Why can't I drive to safe place like 711, I'm not pulling over on black streets, fuck men

[@carlv8168]

So, Miss man-hater, what color streets would you pull over on, then?

[@arseniaponseca9918]

Or pull over to MIRAMESA...theres a Dennys there upon exit.

[@yettimannettii2039]

Female cops don't pull people over?

[@saraho9568]

I hope they don't let him out. He won't ever change. I think this is what happened to the Idaho college kids. It's probably an officer who got sick and tired of noise complaints.

[@22lyric]

Well YOU we're wrong about the Idaho murders!

[@saraho9568]

@@22lyric Yes I was and I'm not sad about it.

[@barbarahamilton3561]

Karma is a bitch !!

[@jimquantic]

AND WHAT--IF ANYTHING--IS LEARNED? 1. Always have a CHARGED cell phone and whether or not you did, TELL a cop you called it in as he is pulling you over. A good cop (99 percent or more are--we all know that) will have no problem with you calling it in, the odd ball with have to think twice when you say that.

[@Phil_Deeznutz714]

99% is a little high dont you think? Lol!

[@Truthbetolddd]

Cell phones were not around back then...

[@yettimannettii2039]

She didn't have a cell phone

[@jimquantic]

No criticism of the woman was intended, just thinking out loud for US, what do we do, if anything to prepare ourselves. @@yettimannettii2039

[@kendallevans4079]

Bad apple, I was living in N. SD county at that time. Still would back law enforcement 100%

[@loserfantasia]

Back the blue

[@castlev1986]

creepy that it was a cop & no one knew

[@christopher5585]

The CHP should have psychologically evaluated him before he murdered Cara. More tough lessons to learn when the establishment is ignorant of human nature.

[@castlev1986]

@@christopher5585 yep creepy

[@yettimannettii2039]

the PD had received previous reports of wrong doing.

[@castlev1986]

@@yettimannettii2039 they must of knew it the hole time

[@yettimannettii2039]

@@castlev1986 As the story goes of the forensic dentist claiming that the rope from Peyers car matching the marks on her neck and was relieved from the case... I am not surprised in the least.

[@lonesoul663]

Always had a weird vibe riding my bike across that bridge. Nowadays I know why.

[@ka7484]

I remember that sad story.

[@oldcrone]

How many of these cops stalking and killing?

[@hopeausbyn1734]

When I came to California in 1987, it was all the very young women talking about. I had not heard about Ms Knott before entering San Diego, California. They young women were all so afraid. I never knew a entire community of young women to be afraid like that. RIP Ms Knott.

[@marcohvac8902]

It such a beautiful place that woman should enjoy without worrying about crazy people like this ...I'm sorry ladies that some men are weird and crazy and pure evil

[@hopeausbyn1734]

@@marcohvac8902 I'm so grateful to all men who are loving and kind.

[@marcohvac8902]

@Hope Ausbyn thank you for being that way and men should reciprocate the respect and then some ..San Diego is gorgeous absolutely wonderful and people should enjoy it not be afraid and have negative thoughts ...hope I'm an avid weed smoker and some frown upon that but I truly believe it makes people calm and makes men less savage ..I wish more men would smoke and take a chill pill and work and be respectful not physcos

[@hopeausbyn1734]

@@marcohvac8902 😁

[@steelhurricane4041]

Where's peyer now?

[@yettimannettii2039]

in prison and will not be up for review until 2027

[@MrColdwatercanyon]

Damn devil

[@manhnguyen-bz6qm]

she was so beautiful. Why did the monster kill the beauty?

[@carlv8168]

Why do you think? He probably forced himself on her and she wouldn't "give-it-up" for him.

[@arseniaponseca9918]

And his Poway neighbor..my co -worker as a Nurse...defended him in court during the trial.I cannit believe my eyes...Kathy defending him? I never talked to her again until she resigned at the hospital and moved somewhere else.

[@carlv8168]

@@arseniaponseca9918 Sometimes neighbors of cops are delusional and have a false sense that they're all good people and model citizens, just because they're freakin cops.

[@manhnguyen-bz6qm]

@@carlv8168 You mean he attempted to rape her?

[@carlv8168]

@@manhnguyen-bz6qm Yep!

[@claudiaamparodiazmonsalve7942]

No olvido este caso, lo ví en Colombia en un programa de televisión que se llamaba: Detectives médicos, me dió mucha tristeza lo bella y joven que era Cara, que dolor para sus padres. Q.E.P.D 🕊️

[@Larry93215]

That made national news I heard about it in Philadelphia

[@quietone2916]

I remember this I was 16 at the time

[@SanitysVoid]

36 years later we have Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in Moscow. What are the odds I lived in San Diego at the time and near Moscow ID for the new killings.

[@reiiwashere]

i was born on her death day, different year though. i feel so bad for her family