Joseph James DeAngelo

Joseph James DeAngelo
2018 mugshot of DeAngelo
Born
Joseph James DeAngelo Jr.

(1945-11-08) November 8, 1945 (age 79)
Bath, New York, U.S.
Other names
  • Diamond Knot Killer
  • EARONS
  • East Area Rapist
  • East Bay Rapist
  • East Side Rapist
  • Golden State Killer
  • Night Stalker
  • Original Night Stalker
  • Visalia Ransacker[1][2]
Occupation(s)Police officer, mechanic
Height≈5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouse
Sharon Marie Huddle
​
​
(m. 1973; div. 2019)​
Children3 daughters
Conviction(s)Murder and kidnapping
Details
Victims
  • 13+ murdered
  • 50+ raped
  • 120+ burglarized
Span of crimes
1974–1986 (unless more crimes are attributed to DeAngelo)
CountryUnited States
State(s)California
WeaponMiroku revolver
Date apprehended
April 24, 2018

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. (born November 8, 1945) is an American serial killer, serial rapist, burglar, and former police officer. He murdered about thirteen people, raped 50 women, and did over 100 burglaries in California between 1974 and 1986.[3][4][5]

Crime spree

He was responsible for at least three crime sprees throughout California.[6][7]

DeAngelo killed many people in southern California, where he was known as the Night Stalker and later the Original Night Stalker (because serial killer Richard Ramirez had also been called the "Night Stalker"). He is believed to have threatened both victims and police.

During the decades-long investigation, several suspects were cleared through DNA evidence, alibi, or other investigative methods.[2][8]

In 2001, after DNA testing indicated that the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker were the same person, the name EARONS started to be used. He was nicknamed Golden State Killer in early 2013 to raise awareness that he was not caught.

Capture

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law-enforcement agencies held a news conference on June 15, 2016, to announce a renewed nationwide effort.[9] On April 24, 2018, authorities charged 72-year-old DeAngelo with eight counts of first-degree murder, based upon DNA evidence;[10][11] investigators had identified members of DeAngelo's family through forensic genetic genealogy.

Verdict

DeAngelo cannot be charged with 1970s rapes,[12] but he was charged in August 2018 with 13 related kidnapping and kidnapping attempts.[13] On June 29, 2020, DeAngelo pled guilty to multiple counts of murder and kidnapping.[14]

As part of the plea bargain, DeAngelo was also required to admit to many crimes he had not been formally charged with, including rapes.[15]

References

  1. ↑ McNamara, Michelle (February 27, 2013). "The Five Most Popular Myths About the Golden State Killer Case". Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Crompton, Larry (August 2, 2010). Sudden Terror. AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4520-5241-0.
  3. ↑ "Golden State Killer pleads guilty to 13 murders". BBC News. June 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ McNamara, Michelle (February 27, 2013). "In the Footsteps of a Killer". Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2015.; Lange, Jeva (March 19, 2018). "Michelle McNamara's tantalizing roadmap for finding a long lost serial killer". The Week. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  5. ↑ Hallissy, Erin; Goodyear, Charlie (April 4, 2001). "DNA Links '70s 'East Area Rapist' to Serial Killings / Evidence suggests suspect moved to Southern California". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Brian (April 27, 2018). "Tulare DA awaits reports connecting 'Golden State Killer' to 'Visalia Ransacker'". ABC30 Fresno. Archived from the original on May 1, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  7. ↑ Fan, Christina (April 26, 2018). "Serial killer's crime spree likely started in Visalia". ABC30 Fresno. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  8. ↑ "The Original Night Stalker". Cold Case Files. Season 2. Episode 22. May 28, 2000. A&E Networks.
  9. ↑ Justice Dept., Federal Bureau of Investigation (April 3, 2017). The FBI Story 2016 (Illustrated ed.). Government Printing Office. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-0-16-093735-4. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ Blankstein, Andrew; Dienst, Jonathan; Siemaszko, Corky (April 25, 2018). "Golden State Killer: Ex-cop arrested in serial murder-rape cold case". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.; Stanton, Sam; Egel, Benjy; Lillis, Ryan (April 26, 2018). "Update: East Area Rapist suspect captured after DNA match, authorities say". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN 0890-5738. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Media Advisory – Joseph DeAngelo Charges". Orange County District Attorney. April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  12. ↑ Arango, Tim; Goldman, Adam; Fuller, Thomas (April 27, 2018). "To Catch a Killer: A Fake Profile on a DNA Site and a Pristine Sample". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Golden State Killer suspect arraigned on rape-related charges". NBC News. Retrieved 2018-09-18.; Thompson, Don. "Golden State Killer suspect faces 26 murder and rape-related consolidated charges". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
  14. ↑ Jouvnal, Justin. "Man accused of being 'Golden State Killer' enters guilty plea". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  15. ↑ Reuters (2020-06-15). "'Golden State Killer' suspect reportedly to plead guilty to avoid death penalty". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-06-16. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)