Custody Dispute

Jean Gregoire first spoke to law enforcement on the morning of Sunday, September 12, 1982, and her clearly stated goals were to convince the officers that Paul had killed Janet, and to have the Kovacich children removed from Catholic school and church activities. 

• Jean said that she had no knowledge of any prior incidents of domestic violence, and she confirmed that Janet had always denied any such occurrences. Jean said that she had been trying to get Janet to divorce Paul and move the children to a different school, and Jean offered those discussions as a motive for Paul to kill Janet. 

• Paul had no history of violence in his past. Law enforcement conducted extensive interviews with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family members and came up with nothing other than Jean’s accusations regarding Fuzz. 

• Paul had numerous commendations in his work file, including from citizens who cited his kindness and professionalism to arrestees under his supervision at the jail. He did not allow violence towards prisoners by members of law enforcement, staff, or other inmates. He had no history of losing his temper, and walked away from conflict whenever possible. 

• Jean Gregoire spent the fall of 1982 trying to convince law enforcement, friends, and witnesses that Paul had killed Janet. Meanwhile, Paul and Auburn PD Chief Willick were certain that Jean’s lack of concern for Janet during the first week she was missing pointed to Jean’s direct knowledge of Janet's whereabouts. 

• Because Janet was never officially a missing person, her case could not be (and was not) MO matched to a series of known brunette cul-de-sac kidnappings and homicides that had occurred from 1975-1981. Neighboring jurisdictions were never informed that Janet was missing, or the circumstances of her disappearance. No possible suspects were questioned, or investigated. 

• Based upon witness statements, Jean Gregoire grew increasingly frustrated when Paul was not arrested, and the children put into her custody, so she reported Paul to Placer County Child Welfare for animal and child abuse. The subsequent investigation found her accusations to be untrue, and the children remained with Paul:

• Paul’s interview about the garbage incident with Fuzz was recorded, and he explained exactly what happened, and the “kicking” described by Kristi and John:

• Fuzz had been specifically bred and trained for K-9 service which meant protecting his handler from armed suspects, and taking people to the ground as directed by Paul. As Paul explained, the discipline was not anger about the garbage, but concern that Fuzz was failing to exhibit self-control—which would be dangerous to a citizen when Fuzz was working in the field.

• On March 14, 1983, Jean & Leo Gregoire filed an action in Placer County Superior Court requesting court ordered visitation with Kristi and John. As part of the complaint, the Gregoires alleged that Paul was dangerous to the children, and he should not have custody. 

• All of the adult caregivers were evaluated based on the best interests of the children—psychological evaluations were conducted on: Paul, Kristi, & John Kovacich; Jean & Leo Gregoire; and, Paul & Beulah Kovacich. 

• Dr. Geraldine Fair issued her report to the court:

• The court conducted fact finding to establish whether or not Paul had killed Fuzz and Janet. Both Auburn PD and  PCSO were contacted regarding their investigations into these accusations, and they specifically told the court that there was no evidence to support either allegation. 

• The children said that they had been with Fuzz when he died, and during the week leading up to that day, and Fuzz was not hit, kicked, or beaten. 

• The case was resolved in early 1984, and there was no further contact between the Gregoires and Kovacichs.