For re-invention, Rogowski changed his name to "Gator" Mark Anthony, explaining "Rogowski" was the name of the father he never knew. Rogowski was soon featured on the cover of Thrasher magazine for the first time in June 1984 [5] and he would go on to be featured on the cover of Transworld Skateboarding in October 1985. Hed even shot a television commercial hours before ambushing Bergsten, slamming a steering wheel lock down onto her skull. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. He was featured on the covers of both magazines again in July & October 1987 as well. Trademark and Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. GREAT NEWS! but he imposed a death sentence upon Jessica and our . They spent a day together on March 21, 1991; shortly after, Bergsten was reported missing. A world champion skateboarder in the 1980s, Rogowski was convicted of beating Jessica Bergsten with a metal rod into semi-consciousness, raping her, wrapping her in a surfboard bag, and strangling . You have chosen this person to be their own family member. He told detectives that the pair had gone back to his place to drink some wine and watch movies. appreciated. Martin Sherwin, Walter S. Dickson professor of English and American History, Pulitzer Prize winner for biography on J. Robert Oppenheimer. He lost bids for parole in 2011 and 2016. He beat her with a car lock, chained her to a bed, raped her, then placed her in a surfboard bag and . James Pattersons Til Murder Do Us Part is investigating the murder of Jessica Bergsten by skateboarding celebrity Mark Anthony Gator Rogowski in California in 1991. She kicked and screamed and struggled. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. In all, Mondays hearing included testimony from four witnesses, including a Pacific Beach neighbor who testified that he saw Bergsten with Anthony a short time before the killing, and a San Diego man, who, along with his 11-year-old son, discovered Bergstens skeletal remains in a shallow desert grave near Ocotillo in Imperial County. Jimenez appealed the rape charge, insisting the decomposed body showed no signs of forcible rape, but the appeal was eventually dismissed. Rogowski was denied parole on February 7, 2011. Leaves behind her Mother Kay and Father Stephen Bergsten of Tucson, AZ. Verify and try again. The case would then go before Gov. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. He took authorities to the gravesite, where Bergstens body had been found. Afterward, when she began to kick and scream, he put her in a surfboard bag to prevent his neighbors from hearing the noise. Rogowski then confessed his crime to a born-again Christian friend, who urged him to confess to the police, which he did. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Mark Gator Anthony Rogowski, seen in this April 2019 photo, was convicted of rape and murder in the 1991 death of Jessica Bergsten. Heres what to watch out for, Fatal stabbing in College Area leads to police shooting in East County, Man, 22, killed in motorcycle crash on Interstate 15 in Rancho Peasquitos, County says beaches, bays off limits for swimmers, surfers because of unsafe bacteria levels, 15-year prison sentence for Ocean Beach man who provided pills leading to overdose death, One dead after rollover crash in Chula Vista, Report: Arrest rates in San Diego County hit seven-year low in 2021, Small plane crashes at Kearny Mesa airport; 4 on board uninjured, Pickup driver strikes, kills pedestrian in Escondido, Truth or a simple dream? Vision, the company he was with for the majority of his career, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Rogowski made a confession to his minister, who then encouraged him to turn himself into the cops. [3] Police searched his home, and found evidence of blood soaked through the carpet padding and into the floorboards in two small spots, adjacent to where Bergsten's head allegedly rested. He came back with a steering wheel lock and suddenly clubbed her with it. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. He drove Bergstens body to the desert outside Ocotillo, burying her in a shallow grave off Interstate 8. But nobody knew who she was. And anyone who can commit a crime like that which is so horrific and monstrous in character demands the highest level of scrutiny.. Mark Gator Rogowski went from an awkward kid to a legend of the 1980s skateboarding scene, but by the 1990s his career was floundering and when his girlfriend dumped him he murdered her friend. He teaches a journalism course at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A Warner Bros. He should have been executed right, I am Franks cousin (mothers side) - every time I, What sickens me about this case was that Marilyn was. In 1982, he won his first major contest, the Canadian Amateur Skateboarding Championships in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The deals and attention soon faded and Rogowski eventually found solace in religion. When Bergsten cried out that she couldnt breathe, he strangled her, then loaded the body into the trunk of his car and drove to the desert. . We have set your language to REVEALED: Woke San Fran reparations panel behind $5m check plan is chaired by life coach who thinks white Is Musk's Twitter clean-up job failing? Twenty-eight years later, Rogowski is a graying prison inmate. Our team of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. He beat her with a car lock, chained her to a bed, raped her, then placed her in a surfboard bag and strangled her before burying her in the desert, authorities said. Jessica Kay Deters-Bergsten found in 7 trees View all. This well could have been accidental.. 2:46 PM EST, Thu January 14, 2016, Convicted murderer and former NFL star Aaron Hernandez was found hanged in his Massachusetts prison cell Wednesday morning, officials said, just days after his, South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius was charged with murdering his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in February 2013. Jessica Bergsten, 22, had moved to Pacific Beach from . The panel noted Rogowskis remorse and his clean disciplinary record during 27 years behind bars in concluding he wasnt an unreasonable risk to the community, despite objections from Bergstens father and the San Diego County district attorneys office, KGTV-TV said. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. [6], At the height of his fame, Rogowski was being paid "between $4,000 and $8,000 a month" for clothing and skateboarding equipment endorsements. In 1978 after 2 years of skating local parks, 12 year old Rogowski was picked up by a local skate team. In 2019, the parole board reportedly recommended that Rogowski be paroled, but California Governor Gavin Newsom overruled the decision. Simpson was found not guilty, the former football star's 1995 murder trial has kept him a household name. He said his client is somewhat happy about the initial finding that he is suitable for parole. Damar Hamlin is 'improving' and 'taking one baby step at a time', reveals Bills coach Sean McDermott - who Anti-aging breakthrough as Harvard scientists REVERSE aging of mice: Benjamin Button experiments see blind Shakira 'took aim at ex Gerard Pique by including a severed HEAD in a fridge in her music video - after Do not sell or share my personal information. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. But a number of people are reporting that thieves have taken all or part of the money the state sent them on a prepaid card. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. [12] On April 27, 2020, Rogowski's parole grant was reversed by Governor Gavin Newsom, stating Rogowski needed to gain a "deeper understanding" of his crimes. On the night he allegedly raped and killed 21-year-old Jessica Bergsten in his Carlsbad condominium, ex-skateboarding star Mark (Gator) Anthony bound the womans body with metal handcuffs and leather shackles, according to court testimony heard Monday. Edit Search New Search Filters (1). The fact that Bergstens unclothed body was found in the desert does not suggest she was murdered, he argued. Shop the best selection of deals on Fitness now. The state Board of Parole Hearings has 120 days to finalize the panels recommendation. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Rogowski would later tell authorities that, at one point in the evening, he went inside his garage, grabbed a steering wheel lock and suddenly slammed it down onto Bergstens head. In a statement Monday to the Union-Tribune, District Attorney Summer Stephan said Rogowski showed a high degree of callousness and brutality when he raped and murdered an innocent young woman.. The death of Phillips, 40, is being investigated as a suicide, the department said. Get our email alerts straight to your inbox. It features interviews with the lead investigator, Brandy McClain, and the minister Auggie Costantino.[15]. [4] On February 6, 2015, another parole hearing was scheduled, but Rogowski waived his right to a hearing for one year. Pic credit: California Dept. Find the best deals on Kitchen from your favorite brands. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. I knew this was a guy that could have lived a productive life with the right set of circumstances. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. The shooting occurred about 5 p.m. Tuesday on La Cresta Boulevard in an unincorporated community east of El Cajon, The crash occurred late Friday on south I-15 south of state Route 56, a California Highway Patrol officer said, The closures were announced late Monday by the county Department of Environmental Health and Quality because of storm runoff and sewage flows, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our Newsletters, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. Rogowski grew up in Escondido, Calif., where he was raised alone by his mother. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. After watching videos and drinking four glasses of wine, he began to feel the effects of the alcohol and decided to drive Bergsten home. Rogowski was seemingly wracked by guilt and he handed himself into police and confessed to her murder. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. candidates who could replace him. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? This led to Rogowski turning to drink and his binges only helped to fuel his unhealthy obsession with McClain. [7]. Try again later. The governors reversal came Thursday. McClain and Rogowski hit it off and began a volatile relationship that saw them both appearing in ads and promotions for Vision Street Wear, which had become one of the biggest skateboarding clothing brands of the decade. Now a convicted murderer, former skateboard superstar Mark Gator Anthony was sentenced to 31 years to life in prison in a Vista courtroom on March 6, 1992. In March 1991, 22-year-old Jessica Bergsten moved from Arizona to the San Diego area and got in contact with Rogowski, who was the ex-boyfriend of her friend. Afterward, he buried her body in the desert, where it was discovered in an advanced state of decay that initially made it impossible to identify. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. [citation needed], Following the advice of his attorney, Rogowski pled guilty to first-degree murder and rape, thus avoiding the death penalty or life without the chance of parole. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. This story was featured on an episode of Shattered on the Investigation Discovery channel. who has been charged in the March 20 rape and strangulation death of Jessica Bergsten. The suspect is now serving 31 years to life in San Luis Obispo, CA. He struck Bergsten over the head with the device, then placed the handcuffs on her body, took her upstairs and applied the shackles after cutting off her clothes with scissors. Gavin Newsom sought to take some of the sting out of high gasoline prices by sending millions of Californians a tax refund. Confessing: Rogowski's religious friend convinced him to confess to the police. At one point, he went into his garage. Crime and Public Safety | Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 'Like pushing me back hard with his jaw and it felt like it was angry,' she clarified. He stalked her, broke into her home and even threatened her new boyfriend. Shattered spotlights his rape and murder ofJessica Bergsten. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Simpson was acquitted in the death of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. Crime and Public Safety | Published: 22:51 EST, 14 April 2021 | Updated: 02:38 EST, 15 April 2021. Year should not be greater than current year. Rogowski, 44, had his parole hearing Monday at the San Luis Obispo prison where he is serving 31 years to life for raping, beating, and strangling 22-year-old Jessica Bergsten and dumping her body . As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. They have every right to be angry with me. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). He had toured internationally, been on MTV. After befriending Augie Constantino, an ex-surfer turned born-again Christian who also became his "spiritual advisor", Rogowski converted to a strict Evangelical form of Christianity influencing Rogowski's attitude and skateboard deck designs. All Birth, Baptism & Christening results for Jessica Bergsten. He admitted to coming up behind her and hitting her in the head with a Club (a metal auto anti-theft device). This week on Reasonable Doubt, the team takes on the Raul and Cathy Sarinana were sentenced to death for abusing Would love your thoughts, please comment. The solo-vehicle crash was reported shortly after 8:15 p.m. on Douglas Road near Pala Road, police said, San Diego police said the victim was shot around 8:45 p.m. on Pyramid Street near Swaner Street; she was taken to a hospital to be treated. I think about it every day, the 1980s skateboarding champion told the parole panel Tuesday. Following the end of his relationship with McClain, Rogowski was jealous: he entered her home to steal gifts he gave her; he made threatening telephone calls to McClain's new boyfriend; and he also threatened McClain directly. The killer would later admit to the police that he had whacked Bergsten in the back to the head with a metal club before handcuffing her to his bed. But he did. Mark Rogowski assaulted, raped, and killed Jessica Bergsten out of rage against his girlfriend and Jessica's best friend, Brandi McClain. He was the first skateboarder to receive his own 'pro-deck' by Vision Sports, and his pro-deck proved popular and was soon followed by the Mark Gonzales and Tom Groholski models. A month later, Rogowski whod become a born-again Christian in the months before the slaying confessed to his minister. Attorney Michael Evan Beckman said his client does have insight and is not dangerous. The attorney also said that while in prison, Rogowski earned a bachelors degree, took vocational courses, is now certified as a paralegal and dove deep into self-help programs, internalizing the teachings. Rogowski, then 24, raped Bergsten repeatedly. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Six people, including mother and baby, killed in Tulare County; drug cartel suspected, Want to solve climate change? He beat her with a car lock, chained her to a bed, raped her, then placed her in a surfboard bag and strangled her before burying her in the desert, authorities said. In his confession, Rogowski conveyed he killed Bergsten in a misplaced act of revenge toward McClain, calling Bergsten the "mold Brandi was made out of. Safety | Published: 22:51 EST, 15 April 2021 | Updated: EST. Happy about the initial finding that he is suitable for parole turn himself into and. Outside Ocotillo, burying her in a shallow Grave off Interstate 8 skating local parks, 12 year Rogowski... Jessica Kay Deters-Bergsten found in the death of Jessica Bergsten, 22, had moved to Beach. To life in San Luis Obispo, CA Rogowski 's religious friend convinced him to turn into... 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