How a California family’s battle for justice for slain teen has impacted victims’ rights
A Family’s Decades-Long Quest for Justice After Tragic Loss
Bizeconanalysis.com – The University of the Pacific campus was forever changed in 1979 when a young woman, just beginning her college journey, was discovered lying unconscious in a secluded portion of the grounds. Catina Salarno, a freshman experiencing her very first day of classes, had been found with blood streaming from her head. The devastating news reached her San Francisco home while her parents, Harriet and Mike Salarno, were preparing for bed. When Mike answered the telephone, his voice immediately conveyed the gravity of the situation.
Harriet recalled asking what had happened, only to be told that Catina had been shot and was being treated in the emergency room. Her two younger daughters, Regina and Nina, hurried to join their mother. Shortly afterward, another phone call brought the heartbreaking confirmation: their daughter had died. Nina described watching her mother collapse in tears, while her father, typically a strong man, appeared deeply shaken. Regina expressed that it felt as though time itself had halted completely.
Roots of a Close-Knit Family
The Salarno family represented a typical middle-class American household that cherished faith, family bonds, and community involvement. Both parents served as juvenile commissioners appointed by San Francisco, dedicating themselves to mentoring young people. Their home and hearts were always open to those in need. Summer months were spent at their mountain cabin, where three sisters enjoyed carefree days together. Catina, the eldest, was described as the family’s heart and soul—a kind-hearted young woman who loved being the older sister.
When Catina was fourteen years old, the Burns family relocated to the house directly across the street. The Burns had four children—three boys and one girl—who were roughly the same age as the Salarno sisters. The Salarno girls began observing their new neighbors, eventually baking a large batch of cookies and delivering them with giggles to introduce themselves. This initial friendly gesture blossomed into a lasting connection between the families.
A Bond That Would Be Tested
The friendship between Catina and Steven Burns, the second-oldest Burns brother, developed into romance during their tenth-grade year. Steven, who attended an all-boys Catholic school, excelled as an athlete and served as football team captain. He shared a mutual interest in sports with Nina, who played both basketball and volleyball. Nina admired Steven greatly, noting that he coached her teams and patiently helped improve her shooting technique.
Mike Salarno, who had experienced a challenging relationship with his own father, took Steven under his protective wing. Beyond mentorship, Mike employed Steven at his television store, where the young man delivered sets. The Salarno parents embraced Steven warmly, treating him almost like a son. Despite this closeness, Harriet later reflected on whether she had missed warning signs in her relationship with Steven and Catina.
The Long Road to Justice
By 1990, when “48 Hours” first encountered the Salarno family, Catina had been missing for a decade. Harriet and Mike maintained their weekly visits to her grave, finding comfort in feeling that they could still communicate with their daughter. Mike described their ongoing efforts to keep Catina’s murderer incarcerated as merely the beginning of a prolonged struggle. The family had never anticipated embarking on such an extended journey, yet they remained committed to seeing justice served for their beloved daughter.
“I think coming out here and being able to talk to Catina gives me a peace of mind. Also that I can still communicate with my daughter, that it isn’t, um, the final end.”
— Mike Salarno, 1990
“It’s the first skirmish in a long, long battle that this we started today.”
— Mike Salarno, speaking to reporters outside a 1990 parole hearing
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