What did Bernardo Bass do?
A sex worker called Dawn Sanchez was last seen alive when she left the Four Seasons Motor Lodge with her boyfriend, Bernardo Bass in Los Altos, California in August 1991. However, Sanchez’s disappearance was not reported until October of that year. A witness in the case, William Alcorn claimed he had travelled with Bass and Sanchez to a vacant lot near the Twin Creeks Softball Park in Sunnyvale, California. He then says he heard the couple fighting before he heard a gunshot.
Alcorn described Bass as a jealous and controlling boyfriend who had broken into Sanchez’s apartment and slashed the tyres of men he suspected to be interested in her. The car that Bass and Sanchez were last seen in was never recovered, with Bass’s sister claiming she sold it but later changed her story about this. Sanchez’s body has also never been found, but cadaver dogs had indicated the presence of human remains in Bass’s home.
What happened during the investigation?
Bernardo Bass was arrested and charged with the kidnapping and murder of Sanchez in October 1991, but a lack of evidence led to the charges being dropped. The cold case was re-opened in 2007 and he was arrested once again. In 2009, he pleaded no contest to the involuntary manslaughter of Sanchez. He was sentenced to just 6 years in prison, with credit for time already served.
Where is Bernardo Bass now?
Information about where Bernardo Bass is now is nonexistent. Seen as he was sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2009, but he had already served 2 years after being arrested in 2007. This would suggest he was released around 2013. There is no information on any offences he has committed since then, so hopefully he never reoffended. If Bass is still alive, he would be in his early 60s now.
What do you think of Bernardo Bass’ case? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.