Decades of Pain: Catina Salarno’s Story and Her Family’s Fight for Justice

The tragedy struck the University of the Pacific like a thunderbolt. On her first day of college in 1979, freshman Catina Salarno was found unconscious, bleeding from her head, in a secluded part of the campus. The news reached her parents, Harriet and Mike Salarno, while they were at their San Francisco home. The call confirmed their worst fears: Catina had been shot and was now fighting for her life in an emergency room.

Devastated, the Salarno family clung to hope, but another call delivered the tragic confirmation that their daughter had passed away. For the Salarnos, life came to an abrupt halt. In 1990, ’48 Hours’ met Mike and Harriet during their visit to Catina’s resting place, marking ten poignant years since her passing. Despite the loss, Mike found solace in these visits, feeling he could still communicate with his beloved daughter.

As time went by, the family embarked on a long legal battle to ensure Catina’s killer remained imprisoned, a fight they never imagined undertaking. Both Mike and Harriet contributed actively to their community, serving as juvenile commissioners, and together they raised their three daughters with love, emphasizing the importance of family, faith, and community values.

Growing up in a close-knit family, Catina was cherished as the eldest sister, adored by her siblings for her kind nature. The turning point in their lives came when the Burns family moved in across the street, and Catina struck up a friendship and later a relationship with Steven Burns, the second-oldest Burns son. Steven, a bright athlete who bonded closely with the Salarnos, grew particularly close to Mike, who served as a mentor and father figure.

The family remembers no signs of concern in Steven’s behavior, but Catina had reservations. In her senior year, as she prepared to attend the University of the Pacific, she wanted to end the relationship with Steven, who responded with threats. Her sisters did not immediately take Steven’s threats seriously, further complicating the tragic events that ensued.

Once at university, Catina hoped to put Steven behind her and focus on her dream of becoming a dentist. However, Steven’s transfer to the same university blindsided her. Her concerns grew as Steven maintained a pervasive presence in her life. Despite finally asking her father for help to persuade Steven to leave her alone, the situation escalated with terrifying consequences.

On a September evening in 1979, freshman Kevin Arlin found Catina gravely injured on the sidewalk. Despite her severe condition, she was taken to the hospital, where staff awaited her family’s arrival. Tragically, Catina passed away shortly after midnight without family by her side. Investigation revealed that Steven Burns had been the last person to see her, leading to his arrest two days later.

The Salarnos faced years of anguish and self-questioning, wondering if things might have been different had they recognized Steven’s threats earlier. They grappled with guilt, torn by the loss of their daughter and the betrayal by someone they once considered family.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that Steven acted deliberately, shooting Catina when she refused to continue their relationship. However, he was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 17 years to life. To the Salarnos’ dismay, this meant he was eligible for parole much earlier than expected.

The family found the parole hearings excruciating, confronting Steven repeatedly and campaigning for justice. Harriet became a fierce advocate for victims’ rights, founding Crime Victims United and fighting tirelessly to enact legislative changes that would help protect other families from similar pain.

Despite years in prison, the Salarnos remain convinced that Steven Burns poses a continued threat. During the countless parole hearings they have attended, Burns has shown inconsistency in his account of events and reluctance to take responsibility for his actions. With another parole hearing looming, the Salarnos fear the possibility of his release, determined to ensure that Steven Burns stays behind bars.

Through their relentless pursuit of justice and reform, the Salarno family hopes to honor Catina’s memory and ensure that their tragedy leads to meaningful change for victims of crime across California.