“He’s the love of my life.” Love story cut short by still unsolved murder

It was just after midnight when Cecil “Pat” McMinn was heading to work the overnight shift at the King’s Road Post Office, but he never made it. His body would be found later in his vehicle. The murder has sent his family down a path of uncertainty for a quarter century.

Things were going great for the McMinn family: Pat, Diane and their two kids, Jason and Kristen.

Their love story began while both served in the Navy.

“I knew that was the man I was going to marry,” Diane McMinn said. “With all the men in the Navy way more than women, I knew.”

The couple would have celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary Feb. 24.

“Our anniversary was just me and him. It was for us. I don’t even care for Valentine’s Day anymore,” she said.

On Oct. 13, 1995, her 31-year-old husband was found shot to death inside his truck at The Ramona Pavilion near the Ramona Flea Market.

Diane McMinn said police considered her a suspect at first.

“They gave me a lie-detector test. I’m thinking they ruled me out as a suspect whether they did or not, I know,” she said.

Diane McMinn said she believes her husband fell victim to a crime of opportunity. Earlier that day, he stopped at the bank and got a $2,000 loan, in cash, for his truck.

“He might’ve stopped for gas and cigarettes and opened his wallet,” she said. The wallet and cash were not at the crime scene. She said the wallet and cash were not at the crime scene.

She said she knows that finding out who killed her husband will not bring him back, but it would bring her something else.

“I would have a sense of peace. I don’t have peace,” Diane McMinn said.

While she searches for answers, she has found support through Project Cold Case.

“It’s been easier knowing I’m not the only one,” she said.

She also keeps love notes from her husband to remind her that he always will be her Valentine.

“He’s the love of my life. I don’t want any other man,” Diane McMinn said.

Many cases are solved years, even decades, later because someone who heard something or saw something finally is ready to talk.

A person can share that information while remaining anonymous by calling 1-866-845-TIPS.

Cox Media Group