People Magazine Investigates: The Hunt For The Golden State Serial Killer

Between 1976 and 1986, a serial killer who earned the nickname the “Golden State Killer” terrorized California from Sacramento to Orange County by attacking and murdering victims while they slept in their beds.

The case of the mysterious murderer, who authorities believe committed 12 murders, 45 sexual assaults, and 120 residential burglaries during the 10-year period and who remains at large to this day, is the subject of a new episode of People Magazine Investigates on Investigation Discovery.

The GSK was originally suspected to be two separate criminals: the “East Area Rapist” and the “Original Night Stalker,” as his MO evolved through the years. First he targeted women who were home alone, and he would pry open the doors and windows of his victims, who were aged 12 to 41.

Once he entered their homes, he would creep into the bedroom and shine a flashlight into their eyes before tying them up — often with strips from their own bedsheets — and attacking them.

After the media reported that he only attacked women at home alone, he targeted couples. He would use a knife or gun to force the women to bind up the men with shoelaces he brought with him. He would then stack teacups or plates on the male victim’s back, and threaten to kill everyone if he heard any of them fall.

The killer was also known for stealing items from the house, and eating and drinking from the refrigerator. Over the years, clues have emerged about items the killer stole, which the FBI has shared.

Golden State Killer ring
[Courtesy Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office]

Among the items that the Golden State Killer snatched from his victims was a woman’s 1965 Lycoming College class ring in 1976 in Carmichael, California.

In 1977, the killer stole a woman’s ruby ring in Sacramento and a 14-karat white gold 1970 Modesto Junior College class ring, which was swiped from the home of one of his victims.

In addition, 14 place settings of Noritake Polonaise china were stolen from a GSK rape victim in Concord in October of 1978. During the same attack, the killer also stole 14 settings of Reed and Barton Majesty silverware and a Reed and Barton Butter dish.

On December 9, 1978, authorities discovered the so-called “homework evidence” near a trail after a Danville rape — three pieces of paper torn out of a spiral notebook that they believe the GSK may have accidentally dropped as he fled the scene. In the notebook, the author recounts his “dreadful” memories of sixth grade and how much he hated his teacher.

On another page, investigators found a highly detailed diagram of what appears to be a subdivision (above) with the word “punishment” misspelled on the back.

Subdivision sketch [Sacramento County District Attorney]

Contra Costa County DA investigator Paul Holes told People that he believes the sketch is the work of an intelligent, “white collar guy,” explaining, “This is a very sophisticated diagram that someone who has got a career along these lines has done.”

The Golden State Killer remains at large. The FBI has asked that anyone with information about the killings to contact 1 (800) CALL-FBI or go to tips.FBI.gov. There is a $50,000 reward for his arrest.

To learn more about this case, watch the “Golden State Killer” episode of Investigation Discovery’s People Magazine Investigates on ID GO now!

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People

Main photo: Sketches of the Golden State Killer [FBI]

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