In the Footsteps of a Killer

LA Mag ^ | 02/27/2013 | by Michelle McNamara

[Responsibility2nd]

Fifty rapes. Ten murders. Two identities. One man. From 1976 to 1986, one of the most violent serial criminals in American history terrorized communities throughout California. He was little known, never caught, and might still be out there. Now a determined investigator, a retired detective, and a group of online obsessives are on the hunt to track him down

[ 1 ] MISSING LINKS

ON A SLEEPLESS NIGHT LAST JULY—one of dozens I’ve powered through during the months I’ve spent tracking him down—I Googled a description of a pair of cuff links he stole in the midst of a home invasion in Stockton in September 1977. At that time the Golden State Killer, as I’ve recently come to call him, hadn’t yet graduated to murder. He was a serial rapist who was attacking women in their bedrooms from Sacramento to San Ramon, targeting those who lived in quiet upper-middle-class suburban neighborhoods. He was young—anywhere from 18 to 30—Caucasian, and athletic, capable of eluding capture by jumping roofs and vaulting tall fences. He frequently wore a ski mask. He had either blue or hazel eyes and, some victims reported, a high-pitched voice. He would rant to his victims about needing money, but he frequently ignored cash, even when it was right in front of him.

~snip~

In the past, when people have asked whether it worries me that the killer may still be out there, I’ve waved dismissively, pointing out that he’d be much older now—62, if I had to guess. “He can’t hurt me,” I say, not realizing that in every sleepless hour, in every minute spent hunting him and not cuddling my daughter, he already has.

This is Michelle McNamara’s first piece for Los Angeles.

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[Responsibility2nd]

This is a very interesting magazine article about a housewife infatuated with a true life series of murders from decades ago.

HELP CATCH THE KILLER

• See the Evidence
• Hear the Killer
• Golden State Killer Myths
• The Writer's Cut
• The Manhunt

[painter]

Bump

[JoeProBono]

[Defiant]

Bump

[Lx]

Is he talking about the East Area Rapist from the Sacramento area in the 70s????

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_Night_Stalker

[John O]

If obama had a son he’d look just like him

[JoeProBono]