Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and this Santa Cruz story is a prime example of a tragic end to a complex life.

On a crisp Sunday morning, William Thomas Westerman’s final journey ended dramatically when his minivan plunged off the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf into Monterey Bay. The 65-year-old’s death came with a haunting backstory that most would prefer to forget.

A Complicated History

Westerman’s past was marked by horrific crimes. In 1994, he was sentenced for 92 counts of lewd acts against his two step-daughters, aged 10 and 13. His own sister alleged even more disturbing incidents of abuse during his childhood. Despite the heinous nature of his past, court records indicated that his victims didn’t want lifelong imprisonment, but hoped for counseling instead.

Life After Prison

After serving 21 years, Westerman was released in 2015. His partner, Julie Stewart, described him as a devoted caregiver to his 93-year-old mother, someone who would check on her every 45 minutes and take her on weekly drives. Neighbors knew him as “Fixit Will” - a man always ready to help others.

The Final Journey

The circumstances of his death remain mysterious. Stewart believes he might have blacked out due to diabetes, pointing out that his beloved boxer dog Cali was in the van, suggesting this wasn’t an intentional act. Rescue swimmers found his overturned minivan 30 feet deep in the bay, a stark and sudden end to a life marked by profound complexity.

In the end, Westerman’s story reminds us that human narratives are rarely simple, often containing layers of darkness and unexpected moments of redemption.