Not-guilty pleas in Orange County serial rapes, murders

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Two convicted sex offenders charged with raping and murdering at least four women in Orange County pleaded not guilty in a Santa Ana courtroom Monday. Some of the victims' family members made sure they were there. The suspects are being held without bail.

Steven Gordon, 45, and Franc Cano, 27, are accused of raping and killing four Orange County women, including 35-year-old Josephine Vargas. Her mother was present in court Monday.

"I wanted to see their face, just to know who they were. Why? Why?" said Priscilla Vargas.

Martha Anaya's family also felt compelled to see the men accused of killing the 28-year-old.

Speaking Spanish, Anaya's mother says she was there to show that her daughter was not alone, that she had family and somebody did care and loved her.

"I'm just sick. I'm mad. I can't believe this happened," said Jesse Fisher, the victim's boyfriend.

Anaya and Vargas had been missing since the fall of 2013, along with 20-year-old Kianna Jackson. Police say they frequented areas in Santa Ana known for prostitution.

The only body recovered is that of 21-year-old Jarrae Estepp. She was found at an Anaheim recycling plant last March.

Police say that discovery helped provide the link to the other missing women.

Both men were transients and both are convicted sex offenders. Cano was on state parole. Gordon was on federal probation. They were wearing GPS devices when the women disappeared.

"It's very hard on me. But I thank God if they are the ones that hurt my daughter that they're in custody," said Priscilla Vargas.

Lawmakers at both the state and federal levels have asked for an investigation into the GPS monitoring to see if these tragedies could have been avoided.

Cano and Gordon remained in custody, held without bail. They're scheduled to return to court on June 6.