In the 1970s and 80s, California was terrorized by a series of home invasions that left over one hundred families in fear. The perpetrator, a man who would later become known as the Golden State Killer, would break into homes at night, wearing a ski mask and armed with weapons. He would demand compliance from his victims, often leaving them traumatized and taking small items as souvenirs before disappearing into the night.
This criminal was responsible for assaulting fifty-one women, sometimes in front of their families, and taking the lives of twelve people, though the true number could be higher. He moved throughout California, choosing his targets at random and altering his methods to mislead law enforcement. Unlike many serial offenders, there was no clear connection between his victims, making it difficult to predict his next move.
Even years after the attacks, survivors were haunted by eerie phone calls with a voice whispering, “Remember when we played?” The attacks stopped suddenly in 1986, and the case went cold. For decades, this elusive criminal was known as the “East Area Rapist” or “The Original Night Stalker,” but his true identity remained a mystery.
For 44 years, the Sacramento County Police Department received numerous tips about the East Area Rapist, but none led to a breakthrough. In 2006, freelance writer Michelle McNamara took an interest in the case, starting a blog and podcast called True Crime Diary. She shared clues with a community of online sleuths, all dedicated to bringing the perpetrator to justice. In 2013, she published an article in Los Angeles Magazine, coining the term “The Golden State Killer.”
McNamara began writing a book titled I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, where she compiled information from various jurisdictions and interviewed detectives. She worked closely with investigator Paul Holes from the Contra Costa County Police Department, sharing theories on how to catch the killer. Sadly, McNamara passed away in her sleep in 2016, but her husband, Patton Oswalt, ensured her book was published posthumously in February 2018.
One of the leads discussed by Holes and McNamara involved using DNA evidence from genealogy websites like 23andMe. By matching DNA from old rape kits to a first cousin, they were able to identify the suspect. In April 2018, police arrested Joseph James DeAngelo.
Joseph James DeAngelo was born in 1945 in Bath, New York. His father was a decorated Air Force pilot during World War II, and his mother worked as a waitress. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried and moved to California. A piece of evidence found at a crime scene, known as “the homework evidence,” hinted at his childhood resentment towards a teacher who punished him harshly.
DeAngelo attended Folsom High School and later earned a degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. In the late 1960s, he was engaged to Bonnie Colwell, but she ended the engagement, reportedly leaving him heartbroken. Years later, victims would hear him express anger towards her.
In 1973, DeAngelo married Sharon Marie Huddle, and they had three daughters. He graduated from the police academy in 1974 and became an officer in Visalia, California. The following year, a police officer was shot by a criminal later identified as DeAngelo. He transferred to the Auburn Police Department in 1976 but was fired after being caught stealing. Following his dismissal, he threatened the police chief, leading to further scrutiny.
DeAngelo’s first recorded crime occurred in Visalia in 1974. Initially, he was careless and did not wear a mask, allowing witnesses to describe him. Over time, he refined his methods, wearing a ski mask and meticulously planning his crimes. He targeted one-story homes, allowing him to assess the number of occupants. After breaking in, he would search through victims’ belongings to learn their names and personal details, creating a false sense of familiarity.
He escalated his crimes from targeting women alone to couples, using pre-tied shoelaces to restrain the husbands while he assaulted their wives. His methods varied, using different weapons, but a common detail noted by victims was his physical appearance. Investigators took this detail seriously, ruling out suspects based on physical characteristics.
DeAngelo instilled fear in his victims, often remaining in the home long after committing his crimes. He would sometimes call victims months or years later to taunt them. The fear he caused led to widespread panic in the community, prompting many to take extreme security measures.
After his career as a police officer ended, DeAngelo worked as a mechanic for a grocery chain. He maintained a low profile, but his violent tendencies persisted. He stopped his criminal activities in 1986, coinciding with the birth of his youngest daughter.
Investigator Paul Holes continued to pursue the case for years, utilizing DNA technology to connect DeAngelo to the crimes. He was ultimately arrested in 2018, where he displayed no remorse or denial of his actions. His wife, who had long been separated from him, requested privacy from the media.
DeAngelo’s trial is ongoing, and while he has not spoken publicly, the evidence against him is substantial. The investigation continues, and many details about his life and motivations remain undisclosed. At least now, he is in custody, offering some measure of closure to the victims and their families.
Research and analyze the psychological profile of Joseph James DeAngelo. Consider his early life, career, and the nature of his crimes. Discuss how these factors may have contributed to his criminal behavior. Present your findings in a group discussion, focusing on the psychological theories that best explain his actions.
Participate in a workshop on DNA and forensic science. Learn how DNA evidence was crucial in identifying DeAngelo as the Golden State Killer. Engage in a hands-on activity where you simulate DNA extraction and analysis. Discuss the ethical implications of using genealogy websites in criminal investigations.
Create a crime map of the Golden State Killer’s activities using geographic information system (GIS) software. Analyze the patterns and locations of his crimes to understand his movements and methods. Present your map and findings to the class, highlighting any insights into his behavior and strategy.
Read Michelle McNamara’s book I’ll Be Gone In The Dark. Write a review focusing on how the book contributed to the investigation and public awareness of the case. Participate in a class discussion about the impact of true crime literature on solving cold cases and its influence on public perception.
Engage in a debate on the ethical considerations of using personal data from genealogy websites in criminal investigations. Discuss the balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of justice. Prepare arguments for both sides and participate in a structured debate, considering the implications for future cases.
In the 1970s and 80s, over one hundred families in California experienced home invasions by the same individual. Many victims awoke in the middle of the night to find a man standing over their beds, wearing a ski mask and wielding weapons, demanding compliance for their safety. In a matter of hours, he caused immense trauma, taking small items as mementos as he fled into the night.
Fifty-one women were assaulted in their own homes, sometimes in the presence of their families. He is known to have taken the lives of twelve individuals, though the actual number may be higher. This perpetrator traveled throughout California, targeting homes indiscriminately. He altered his methods and left misleading clues to evade law enforcement. Unlike many serial offenders, there was no apparent connection between the victims, making it difficult to predict his next move.
Survivors attempted to rebuild their lives, but many received unsettling phone calls years later, with a voice whispering, “Remember when we played?” In 1986, the attacks abruptly ceased, and the case went cold. For decades, this serial offender was at large, referred to by law enforcement as the “East Area Rapist” or “EAR.” He was also known as “The Original Night Stalker.” The true identity of the EAR remained a mystery that haunted California.
For 44 years, the Sacramento County Police Department received tips from individuals believing they had information about the EAR, but none led to a breakthrough. Freelance writer Michelle McNamara began investigating this cold case. In 2006, she started a blog and podcast called True Crime Diary, sharing clues with a community of online sleuths dedicated to bringing the EAR to justice. In 2013, she published an article in Los Angeles Magazine titled “In The Footsteps of a Killer,” where she coined the term “The Golden State Killer.”
McNamara began writing a book titled I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, interviewing detectives and compiling information from various jurisdictions that had never been connected before. She collaborated with investigator Paul Holes from the Contra Costa County Police Department, sharing theories on how to potentially apprehend the killer. Tragically, McNamara passed away in her sleep in 2016. Before her death, she expressed a desire for the Golden State Killer to be caught, regardless of whether she was the one to do it.
After a period of mourning, her husband, Patton Oswalt, facilitated the posthumous publication of her book, which was completed in February 2018. One of the leads Holes discussed with McNamara involved utilizing DNA evidence from genealogy websites like 23andMe. He matched DNA from old rape kits to a first cousin, which ultimately led to identifying the suspect. In April 2018, police raided the home of Joseph James DeAngelo.
**Early Life**
Joseph James DeAngelo was born in 1945 in Bath, New York. His father was a decorated pilot in the Air Force during World War II, and his mother worked as a waitress. After his parents divorced, his mother remarried and moved to California. A piece of evidence found at a crime scene, referred to as “the homework evidence,” provided insight into his childhood, revealing feelings of resentment towards a teacher who punished him harshly.
DeAngelo attended Folsom High School and later earned a degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. In the late 1960s, he was engaged to Bonnie Colwell, but she ended the engagement, which reportedly left him heartbroken. Years later, victims would hear him expressing anger towards her.
In 1973, DeAngelo married Sharon Marie Huddle, and they had three daughters. He graduated from the police academy in 1974 and became an officer in Visalia, California. The following year, a police officer was shot by a criminal later identified as DeAngelo. He transferred to the Auburn Police Department in 1976 but was fired after being caught stealing. Following his dismissal, he threatened the police chief, leading to further scrutiny.
**The Crimes**
DeAngelo’s first recorded crime occurred in Visalia in 1974. Initially, he was careless and did not wear a mask, allowing witnesses to describe him. He began to refine his methods, wearing a ski mask and planning his crimes meticulously. He targeted one-story homes, allowing him to gauge the number of occupants. After breaking in, he would often search through victims’ belongings to learn their names and personal details, creating a false sense of familiarity.
He escalated his crimes from targeting women alone to couples, using pre-tied shoelaces to restrain the husbands while he assaulted their wives. His methods varied, using different weapons, but a common detail noted by victims was his physical appearance. Investigators took this detail seriously, ruling out suspects based on physical characteristics.
DeAngelo instilled fear in his victims, often remaining in the home long after committing his crimes. He would sometimes call victims months or years later to taunt them. The fear he caused led to widespread panic in the community, prompting many to take extreme security measures.
**Later Life**
After his career as a police officer ended, DeAngelo worked as a mechanic for a grocery chain. He maintained a low profile, but his violent tendencies persisted. He stopped his criminal activities in 1986, coinciding with the birth of his youngest daughter.
Investigator Paul Holes continued to pursue the case for years, utilizing DNA technology to connect DeAngelo to the crimes. He was ultimately arrested in 2018, where he displayed no remorse or denial of his actions. His wife, who had long been separated from him, requested privacy from the media.
DeAngelo’s trial is ongoing, and while he has not spoken publicly, the evidence against him is substantial. The investigation continues, and many details about his life and motivations remain undisclosed. At least now, he is in custody, offering some measure of closure to the victims and their families.
Crimes – Acts committed in violation of laws that are punishable by a governing authority. – The study of historical crimes can provide insight into the societal values and legal systems of past civilizations.
Psychology – The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context. – The development of psychology as a discipline has significantly influenced our understanding of human behavior throughout history.
Trauma – A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-lasting psychological effects. – Historical events such as wars and natural disasters have left profound trauma on affected populations, shaping their collective memory and identity.
Investigation – A systematic and detailed examination or inquiry into a subject to discover facts or information. – The investigation of historical documents is crucial for reconstructing accurate accounts of past events.
Identity – The characteristics, feelings, or beliefs that distinguish people or groups from others. – The formation of national identity is often influenced by historical narratives and collective experiences.
Fear – An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. – Fear of the unknown has historically driven societies to seek explanations through myths and religious beliefs.
Victims – Individuals who have suffered harm, injury, or loss due to a crime, accident, or other event or action. – The stories of victims of historical atrocities are essential for understanding the human impact of these events.
Methods – Systematic procedures or techniques used to accomplish a task or study a subject. – Historians employ various methods, such as archival research and oral history, to gather and analyze data about the past.
Evidence – Information or signs that help to establish facts or truths, often used to support or refute a hypothesis or claim. – Archaeological evidence has been pivotal in uncovering the lifestyles and cultures of ancient civilizations.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often with an emphasis on understanding causes and effects. – History provides valuable lessons that can inform present and future decision-making processes.
