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Timeline: The Blaze Bernstein murder case

The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein
The Life and Death of Blaze Bernstein 43:47

A look at the 2018 disappearance of Blaze Bernstein and the evidence that led to Sam Woodward's arrest and conviction in the hate crime murder.

Jan. 2, 2018

Blaze Bernstein
Blaze Bernstein Bernstein family

Blaze, a 19-year-old Ivy League student, was spending the holidays visiting family in Orange County, California, when he went missing the night of Jan. 2, 2018.

Jan. 3, 2018

Borrego Park
Borrego Park in Orange County, California. CBS Newws

After Blaze failed to show up to a dentist appointment and didn't respond to texts and calls, his parents, Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein, checked his room. They didn't find Blaze but found his wallet, keys and glasses still at the house.

They searched Blaze's computer and social media accounts for clues. On Blaze's Snapchat, they found messages from Sam Woodward, who had been Blaze's high school classmate. The messaging showed that the night Blaze went missing, he had sent his address to Woodward. Gideon Bernstein reached out to Woodward, who claimed he had picked Blaze up and driven to local Borrego Park. Woodward said that Blaze then walked off in the dark to meet another friend. 

"I didn't see where he went," Woodward told Gideon Bernstein. "I searched all over for him ... I couldn't find him anywhere."

After that call, the worried Bernsteins filed a missing person's report with police.

Jan. 6, 2018

Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein
Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein addressed reporters, seeking help in finding Blaze. CBS Los Angeles

Law enforcement repeatedly combed Borrego Park. By this point, news of Blaze's disappearance had already spread across Orange County.

The Bernstein family, still hoping for good news, held a press conference, asking the public to keep looking for their son.

Jan. 9, 2018

Blaze Bernstein's cellphone
Blaze Bernstein was buried in a shallow grave in Borrego Park and had been stabbed more than 20 times. His damaged phone (pictured) was also found in that grave. Orange County Court

After days of searching, investigators found Blaze buried in a shallow grave in Borrego Park after heavy rains helped uncover his body. He had been stabbed more than 20 times. Blaze's damaged phone (pictured) was also found in that grave.

Investigators believed Woodward was the last person to see Blaze before he disappeared. Woodward had told them what he told the Bernsteins — that he met up with Blaze, who then walked off in the park. Investigators served a search warrant at Woodward's home. 

Jan. 12, 2018

bernstein-woodward-mug.jpg
Sam Woodward mug shot Orange County Sheriff's Department

Sam Woodward was arrested on Jan. 12, 2018. 

Jan. 17, 2018

Woodward was charged with murder with a sentencing enhancement of personal use of a knife.

Later in 2018, then-Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told "48 Hours" that investigators had found a knife in Woodward's home. 

"The knife had blood on it," Rackauckas said. "Blaze Bernstein's blood on the knife."

Sam Woodward's car.
Sam Woodward's car.  Orange County Sheriff's Department

He also said they had found blood in Woodward's car. 

"The blood on the headliner belonged to both Sam Woodward and Blaze Bernstein," Rackauckas told "48 Hours" correspondent Tracy Smith.

Feb. 2, 2018

 Woodward was arraigned and pleaded not guilty.    

August 2, 2018

The Orange County District Attorney's Office added a hate crime enhancement to Sam Woodward's initial charges.

Sam Woodward at a hearing on Sept. 17, 2018.
Sam Woodward at a hearing on Sept. 17, 2018. CBS Los Angeles

Prosecutors claimed Woodward killed Blaze with premeditation because Blaze was gay. If convicted, Woodward now could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Authorities say after examining Woodward's phone, laptop and social media accounts, they found evidence of Woodward's involvement in Atomwaffen, a neo-Nazi terrorist group. 

April 9, 2024

Sam Woodward walks into court
Sam Woodward walking into court with his hair covering his face at his trial in April 2024. Pool

In the opening statements of his trial, the prosecution told the jury that Woodward killed Blaze because he was gay. Defense Attorney Ken Morrison conceded that Woodward killed Blaze but argued that the murder was not premeditated and instead was a case of voluntary manslaughter. He argued that Blaze did something that provoked Woodward to kill him and told the jury Woodward would testify about what happened the night Blaze was killed.

April 10, 2024

Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein testify
Blaze Bernstein's parents, Jeanne Pepper and Gideon Bernstein, were among 23 witnesses who testified for the prosecution. Pool

"I know that a lot of things will be said that are probably untrue," Jeanne Pepper told "48 Hours." "Because that's what happens in a criminal trial…I have an opportunity to defend Blaze and that's what I will do."

Blaze Bernstein's parents were among 23 witnesses who testified for the prosecution.

June 20, 2024

Sam Woodward testifies
Sam Woodward on the stand testifying after his attorney asked him to move his hair out of his face   Pool

When it was the defense's turn, Woodward told the jury that on the night he killed Blaze, Woodward had smoked a joint. He said that Blaze had been taunting him and threatened to out his sexuality. Woodward accused Blaze of sexual assault. There is no evidence of this.

Woodward testified that he then stabbed Blaze to death. He said that he routinely carried a knife with him since his days as a Boy Scout.

July 3, 2024

Orange County DAs
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker address reporters after the verdict. CBS Los Angeles

The jury found Sam Woodward guilty of first-degree murder with the hate crime enhancement. 

"He faces life without possibility of parole," Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said after the guilty verdict. "And that's what we'll be asking for."

Oct. 22, 2024

Sam Woodward is due back in court for sentencing.

Blaze's Legacy

Blaze Bernstein stone
A hand-painted stone with the likeness of Blaze Bernstein in Borrego Park in Orange County, California.  KCBS

After their son's murder, Blaze's parents were determined not to let hate win. To honor their son, they started a movement called "BlazeItForward" inspiring acts of kindness.

At Borrego Park where Blaze was tragically killed, there is now a tribute to Blaze. To this day, people from all over the world continue to leave stones in his memory.

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