Episode Two – Tombstone Shadows Podcast

The Artesia Cemetery in Cerritos, California.

A Short History of the Cemetery:
The Artesia Cemetery covers fourteen acres and is in the city of Cerritos, California. The first burial was in 1882.

Plaque for John P. Collins. Supposedly, the first to be buried at the Artesia Cemetery.
Inside of the Artesia Cemetery in Cerritos, California
Inside of the Artesia Cemetery in Cerritos, California

John Thompson:
Born August 22, 1880 – Died: August 6, 1892
John Thompson died tragically at the age of 11, and was buried at the Artesia Cemetery in August of 1892. Also included in this story is the sad ending of Eva Morton’s life.

Eva Mortan's Tombstone
John Thompson's plaque. 11 Years old.

Robert Stevens Duckworth:
Born: October 4, 1922 – Died: October 22, 1972
A sad ending to a WWII veteran who was captured by German forces. He was born in Artesia, California, and buried at the Artesia Cemetery.

Robert Duckworth in WWII uniform with his happy dog in the background.
Road that lead up to Duckworth's home in Lucerne, California where he was found dead.
Duckworth's grave
Duckworth's plaque below his mother's plaque

Oscar Castillo:
Born: June 4, 1958 – Died: March 28, 1976
A young man who, after watching a softball game with his girlfriend, tragically lost his life after a local gang of thugs took his life in the parking lot of a Long Beach park for bumping their car.

This was where Oscar would have left, before heading out to pick up his girlfriend and going to the park.
El Dorado Park in Long Beach. The parking lot near a baseball diamond. This may be the area of the park where Oscar's life was taken.

The Ouija Board Murder (1933)
The murder of Earnest J. Turley (a retired naval officer) was a big news item at the time. His daughter, Mattie, fired two barrels of a shotgun into her father. Her mother went on trial for attempting to brainwash Mattie (with the use of a Ouija Board), into murdering her father so she could continue a relationship with a younger man.

Colter Ranch, where the shooting took place.
An early article about the Ouija board killing.
Mrs. Turley and her daughter Mattie.