Relief for victims’ families & survivors as suspect snared
A foRMER police officer was behind bars last night suspected of being California’s Nightstalker serial killer.
Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, was arrested at his home in Sacramento after DNA linked him to a notorious spree of murders, rapes and burglaries in the 1970s and 80s.
He has been charged with eight counts of murder but authorities say he could face dozens more charges.
Also known as the Golden State Killer and the East Area Rapist, police believe the Nightstalker was responsible for at least 12 killings and 50 rapes in 10 counties from northern to southern California dating back 40 years.
The armed and masked prowler sneaked in through windows at night and surprised sleeping victims, who ranged in age from 13 to 41.
Last night, Bruce Harrington – whose brother and sister-in-law were slain by the killer – said at a survivors’ news conference: “Sleep better tonight. He isn’t coming through the window.”
When encountering a couple, the Nightstalker was known to tie up the man and pile dishes on his back.
He threatened to kill both victims if he heard plates crash to the floor while he raped the woman.
He then ransacked the house, taking souvenirs, notably coins and jewellery, before fleeing on foot or bicycle.
Despite thousands of tips over the years, DeAngelo’s name h a d n o t been on the radar of law BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN enforcement before last week, Sacramento County district attorney Anne Marie Schubert said.
“We knew we were looking for a needle in a haystack but we also knew that needle was there,” she said.
“It was right here in Sacramento.” A break in the case and the arrest came together in “light speed” during the last six days, Schubert said, though she refused to reveal what led to DeAngelo.
Sacramento sheriff Scott Jones said detectives with “dogged determination” were able to get a sample of DNA from something DeAngelo discarded.
The genetic material was not a match but there were enough similarities for investigators to return for more and they were able to get a conclusive match.
After watching DeAngelo for several days, deputies swooped on him on Tuesday.
“It looked as though he might have been searching his mind to execute a particular plan but he never had time to act,” Jones said.
DeAngelo was arrested on suspicion of committing double killings in Sacramento and Ventura and later charged with four counts of murder in Orange County.
Ventura County district attorney Gregory Totten said that before prosecutors decide whether to seek the death penalty, there will be a “solemn and formal death review process that typically takes many months before a decision is made”. DeAngelo – who