From 1974 to 1986, the Golden State Killer tortured people all over California by killing and r*ping them, and Joseph James DeAngelo almost got away with it all. Let’s read in detail about Most Famous Serial Killer in California’s History.
Who is the Most Famous Serial Killer in California’s History?
The Golden State Killer, also known as the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker, committed a series of crimes throughout California between 1974 and 1986. His crimes included:
- At least 13 known murders
- More than 50 known rapes
- More than 100 burglaries
- S*xual assaults of women and girls aged 13 to 41
- Stalking of victims and their families
- Use of firearms and other weapons to intimidate and subdue victims
- Break-ins and thefts of personal items, including jewelry and documents
- Taunting and harassing victims with phone calls and written messages
The Golden State Killer was known for his meticulous planning and preparation, often studying his victims and their homes for weeks or months before attacking. He frequently targeted couples and would tie up the male partner before r*ping the female partner. He also often targeted women who were home alone, sometimes attacking them in the middle of the day.
The tweet below celebrates the 5th anniversary of The Golden State Killer’s arrest:
Here it is. The Sacramento Bee article by @StantonSam marking the fifth year anniversary of the #GoldenStateKiller arrest. Great job Sam. Thank you. https://t.co/ljEjfywGnr
— Jen Carole 🟧 jcarole.com (@jcarole) April 23, 2023
The Golden State Killer’s crimes were characterized by their brutality and sadism, and he became one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. After decades of evading capture, he was finally identified and arrested in 2018 through the use of DNA evidence.
Joseph James DeAngelo’s Early Life
- Joseph James DeAngelo was born in Bath, New York in 1945.
- He spent most of his childhood in Sacramento and attended Folsom High School.
- DeAngelo served in the Navy for 22 months during the Vietnam War and received several medals.
- He attended Sierra College from 1968 to 1970 and California State University, Sacramento in 1971, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice in 1972.
- DeAngelo joined the Exeter Police Department in 1973, just before the Visalia Ransacker crimes began.
- He worked as a police officer for Exeter and Auburn Police Departments from 1973 to 1979 but was fired from the latter for stealing.
- DeAngelo got married in 1973 and is said to have worked with the Roseville Police Department around the same time, but they had no records of him.
- Despite being described as a good person before his theft, DeAngelo’s background in criminal justice and police work may have contributed to his ability to evade detection as a serial killer.
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The Golden State Killer’s Crimes
Due to the nature and extent of the Golden State Killer’s crimes, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive list of each crime scene. However, here are some key details about some of the known crime scenes:
- In June 1976, the Golden State Killer entered a home in Rancho Cordova and raped a 23-year-old woman at gunpoint while her husband was tied up in another room. This was the first known attack attributed to the East Area Rapist.
- In February 1978, the Golden State Killer entered a home in Davis and raped a 21-year-old woman at knifepoint while her boyfriend was bound and forced to lie face down on the floor.
- In December 1979, the Golden State Killer entered a home in Danville and murdered a couple, 28-year-old Debra Manning and 35-year-old Robert Offerman, who were both shot multiple times. This was the first known double murder attributed to the Golden State Killer.
- In July 1981, the Golden State Killer entered a home in Goleta and murdered a couple, 44-year-old Cheri Domingo and 35-year-old Gregory Sanchez, who were bludgeoned to death with a garden tool.
- In May 1986, the Golden State Killer entered a home in Irvine and murdered a couple, 28-year-old Keith Harrington and 24-year-old Patrice Harrington, who were both bludgeoned to death with a blunt object.
These are just a few examples of the many crimes attributed to the Golden State Killer. It is important to note that many of his crimes followed a similar pattern, with the perpetrator breaking into homes in the middle of the night, tying up or subduing victims, and subjecting them to sexual assault or other forms of violence.
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