.Overrated.
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Public knowledge:
The Tribune
May 25, 1995
Young Woman Survives Horrifying Ordeal: Boyfriend Charged with Attempted Murder
By Laura Thornton
A shocking sequence of events unfolded in the early hours of yesterday when 20-year-old Kay Rivers was brutally attacked and left for dead by her boyfriend, Reinold DeLuca, 24, after a heated argument. The harrowing incident took place in a quiet suburban neighborhood of Hawthorn Hill, where neighbors’ quick action may have saved Kay’s life.
According to witnesses, Rivers and DeLuca were seen arguing outside their shared apartment around 11 p.m. The argument escalated, and DeLuca, in a fit of rage, reportedly got into his car and struck Kay as she stood in the driveway. Witnesses describe hearing her scream before DeLuca sped off, leaving Rivers motionless on the ground.
Assuming he had killed her, DeLuca then drove nearly 40 miles to an isolated dump, authorities say. Unbeknownst to him, Kay was still alive, albeit severely injured. Once at the landfill, DeLuca reportedly attempted to dispose of Rivers, who regained consciousness during the ordeal. Despite her weakened state, she struggled against him, but DeLuca overpowered her, locking her inside a discarded locker and burying it in a shallow trench beneath layers of waste.Back at Hawthorn Hill, concerned neighbors, alarmed by the earlier confrontation, promptly contacted local police. Officers arrived at the scene minutes after DeLuca fled. Through swift coordination between local law enforcement and state troopers, DeLuca’s vehicle was traced to the landfill, where officers discovered him attempting to flee. He was arrested on-site without incident.
In a chilling twist, when police scoured the landfill, they found the makeshift grave, and to their astonishment, Kay Rivers was still alive, barely conscious but breathing. Emergency responders immediately transported her to St. Mark’s Hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Doctors believe her survival is nothing short of miraculous, given the severity of her injuries and the time spent buried.
Reinold DeLuca is currently in custody and faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and kidnapping. Prosecutors have confirmed they will be seeking the maximum penalty, citing the premeditated nature of his actions.
Neighbors, shaken but relieved by the outcome, expressed their shock at the violence that erupted in what they had always considered a peaceful community. “I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” said Angela Martinez, a neighbor who witnessed the initial argument. “I’m just thankful we called the police when we did. If we hadn’t... I don’t even want to think about it.”
Authorities are still investigating the full details of the attack, but as of now, it is clear that the bravery of Kay Rivers and the vigilance of her neighbors were critical in bringing this horrifying episode to an end.
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Six months later:
The Tribune
November 15, 1995
Convicted Attacker Suffers Severe Brain Damage After Prison Cell Malfunction
By Laura Thornton
In a bizarre and tragic turn of events, Reinold DeLuca, the man convicted of attempting to murder his girlfriend, Kay Rivers, six months ago, was left with severe brain damage following a malfunction in his prison cell’s security door. DeLuca, 25, who was serving a lengthy sentence at Crescent Bay Correctional Facility, was electrocuted during the incident and remains in critical condition.
According to prison officials, the malfunction occurred late Monday evening when DeLuca’s cell door, which was electronically operated, unexpectedly short-circuited. Sources within the facility report that the door emitted a large electrical discharge, striking DeLuca and causing him to collapse. The powerful shock is believed to have caused his heart to stop.
Compounding the tragedy, another mechanical failure delayed the prison’s response. The door separating the inmates' cells from the prison staff also malfunctioned, preventing guards and medical personnel from reaching DeLuca in time. By the time first responders were able to access the area, several minutes had passed—crucial moments during which DeLuca’s brain was deprived of oxygen.
Medical staff administered CPR and managed to restart his heart, but doctors later confirmed that the delay had caused extensive brain damage. DeLuca is currently being treated in the prison hospital’s intensive care unit, though his prognosis remains grim.Warden Gregory Holt issued a brief statement acknowledging the malfunction: “This is an unprecedented event, and we are conducting a full investigation into what caused the system failure. We regret the delay in our response time and are thoroughly reviewing all protocols to ensure the safety of both inmates and staff moving forward.”
DeLuca was convicted in May 1995 of the attempted murder of Kay Rivers, a crime that shocked the local community. After a violent argument, DeLuca ran Rivers over with his car, drove her 40 miles to a landfill, and buried her in a shallow trench. Miraculously, Rivers survived the ordeal after being rescued by police, thanks to quick action by neighbors who had witnessed the initial confrontation.
Rivers, has since made a significant recovery, though she has largely stayed out of the public eye since the trial. Her legal representatives declined to comment on DeLuca’s condition.
Prison authorities are continuing to investigate whether the door malfunctions were the result of a technical error or neglect, but they have ruled out foul play. Internal reviews are expected to take weeks, as engineers assess the overall state of the prison’s aging security systems.DeLuca's family, who had remained largely silent since his conviction, expressed their devastation over the incident. "We are heartbroken by what happened," his sister said in a brief statement. "No matter what, he didn’t deserve this."
Public reactions to DeLuca's condition have been mixed. Some express sympathy for the shocking turn of events, while others see it as a tragic, albeit ironic, conclusion to a man whose own violent actions nearly took a young woman's life.
As Crescent Bay Correctional Facility faces scrutiny over this incident, questions remain about the overall safety and condition of the prison’s infrastructure. Prison reform advocates have already raised concerns about the use of outdated electrical systems in high-security environments, pointing to DeLuca’s case as an example of the dangers posed by such neglect.
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