A suspect who might be the Golden State Killer, a serial killer accused of 12 slayings and dozens of sexual assaults across California, might be in custody, an FBI spokesperson confirmed.
The Golden State Killer’s reign of terror lasted from 1976 until 1986. He’s also known as the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker.
FBI spokeswoman Angela Bell told CNN that the killer is under arrest.
⚡️ “Joseph James DeAngelo is suspect in Golden State Killer Case” by @thedailybeasthttps://t.co/4oNDHj3R8M
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) April 25, 2018
In all, he committed 12 murders, 45 rapes, and broke into 100 homes in the state. His crime spree spread from Sacramento south to the Los Angeles area.
In 2016, the FBI offered a reward for information leading to his arrest.
So perhaps Brian Maggiore, who was base police at Mather Air Force Base, recognized DeAngelo (a police officer in a neighboring town) as he was prowling, which is why Brian and Kate were executed? #goldenstatekiller https://t.co/WXqijoAI3O
— Georgia Hardstark (@GHardstark) April 25, 2018
“He covered his trail very well,” Contra Costa County cold case investigator Paul Holes said, NBC reported. “What he didn’t account for was DNA technology.”
Officials said that he left behind DNA evidence that police could use to identify him.
1962 Photo of #GoldenStateKiller #EastAreaRapist Joseph James DeAngelo Jr pic.twitter.com/PeEFlQtjBG
— Criminology Podcast (@CriminologyPod) April 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/wwelchh/status/989179703431958528
“I really feel that if I were to see him today — it took me a long time to be able to forgive him,” victim Jane Carson-Sandler said. “He’s a very sick man and I was the one carrying all these feelings around. Once I was able to forgive him, I felt a tremendous freedom. I want to look him in the eye.”
Carson-Sandler was assaulted by him in 1976, saying that she “used to want to punch him in the face.”
Sacramento County jail records show that a man identified as Joseph James DeAngelo, a former cop who is 72 years old, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder on Wednesday, USA Today reported.
DeAngelo was arrested in connection to the Golden State Killer case, according to a source who spoke to the New York Times. Law enforcement sources told NBC News that he was arrested in the case.
The Sacramento District Attorney’s office said that Sheriff Scott Jones would make the announcement later.
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