Joseph James DeAngelo “The Golden State Killer”, California (Active 1974-1986)
Joseph James DeAngelo who was responsible for 13 murders, over 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries across California between 1974 and 1986.
Known Victims:
Brian Maggiore and Katie Maggiore – 21 & 20 years old. Killed in 1978 in Rancho Cordova California. They were a young couple who were chased down and shot while walking their dog.
Dr. Robert Offerman and Debra Manning – 44 & 35 years old. Killed in 1979. Killed in their home in Goleta, CA. They were bound and shot.
3. Lyman Smith and Charlene Smith – 43 & 33 years old. Killed in 1980 in their home in Ventura, CA. Ther were bludgeoned to death with a log in their bedroom. Charlene was also sexually assaulted.
Keith Harrington and Patrice Harrington – 24 & 27 years old. Killed in 1980. Found bludgeoned to death in their home Dana Point, CA. Patrice was also sexually assaulted.
Manuela Witthuhn – 28 years old. Killed in 1981 in her home in Irvine, CA. She was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned to death.
Cheri Domingo and Gregory Sanchez – 35 & 27 years old. Killed In 1981. Sanchez was beaten and shot to death. Domingo was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned to death in Goleta, CA.
Janelle Cruz – 18 years old. Killed in Irvine, CA. She was sexually assaulted and bludgeoned to death while home alone. This is the final known murder from the Golden Gate Killer.
Before the murders, DeAngelo was known as the East Area Rapist (EAR) in Sacramento, committing dozens of rapes between 1976-1979. He was also known as the Original Night Stalker for the later murders in Southern California. DeAngelo was identified through genetic genealogy in 2018 and pleaded guilty in 2020 to avoid the death penalty. DeAngelo was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
