John Leonard Orr’s Background
John Leonard Orr served time in the Air Force from 1967 to 1971.
When he returned home to Los Angeles, he applied to the LAPD, but he failed a psych evaluation because he was considered unstable. He applied to the LAFD but was rejected for poor written and physical test results.
He got a job at a small Fire department in 1974 and worked his way up to fire investigator.
On October 10, 1984, a furniture store in South Pasadena burned down, and four people died. Everyone thought it was an electrical fire, but Orr declared it an arson.
Over the next seven years, many more arsons were committed.
Investigators had a print from an incendiary device, and in 1991, they matched it to Orr. They tracked Orr for months and then arrested him in December 1991.
He was convicted of federal arson charges and state charges for four counts of murder. He is serving life in prison.
DOB:
April 26th, 1949Conviction(s):
- First-degree murder (state)
- Arson (state)
- Arson (federal)
Date of crime:
1980s to 1991Location(s):
Los Angeles County, CADate of arrest:
December 4th, 1991Details:
Arsonist that killed four people in a fire.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Ada Deal (50)
- Matthew Troidl (2)
- Carolyn Kraus (26)
- Jimmy Cetina (17)
Method:
FireSentence:
Life without paroleCurrent whereabouts:
Mule Creek State Prison in Lone, CASources:
N/ALast Updated on 10/11/2026
