11 Deeply Disturbing Facts About The Golden State Killer

He terrorized communities throughout the '70s and '80s.

Disclaimer: This post contains highly disturbing content.

1. The Golden State Killer committed at least 12 murders and 45 rapes spanning throughout the '70s and '80s.

NBC

It's also believed that he burglarized more than 120 homes in California.

2. This person had various names, as he was initially thought to be multiple criminals.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

He's been called The Original Night Stalker, the East Area Rapist, the Diamond Knot Killer, and the Golden State Killer.

3. He was known to make phone calls to the police and to his victims.

NBC / Via youtube.com

His calls came both before and after attacking victims.

4. The first recorded call from a man claiming to be the East Area Rapist came on December 2, 1977 to Sacramento Police.

NBC

You can hear the recording here.

5. On January 2, 1978 the first known rape victim received a call from someone who repeatedly asked "Is Ray there?"

NBC

You can hear the recordings here.

6. On February 2, 1978, Brian and Katie Maggiore were walking their dog in a neighborhood near their apartment when they encountered The East Area Rapist.

The Fresno Bee

Somehow they wound up in the backyard of a residence, and the situation became threatening. The couple tried to escape through a fence, but were both shot dead.

7. The East Area Rapist had multiple attempts foiled before he started murdering all of his victims and was labeled The Golden State Killer. On July 5, 1979, a husband and wife woke up to a man standing in their bedroom doorway.

Nikolaj2 / Getty Images

The husband was 6'2, 220 pounds. He yelled at the intruder, asking who he was and what he was doing there. The man and his wife had discussed what to do in the event of an attack from the East Area Rapist, so the husband blocked the intruder while his wife ran downstairs and into the yard screaming for help. The husband was uncertain if the intruder had a weapon or not, so he fled as well. A neighbor called the police, but the East Area Rapist escaped.

8. This final failed attempt that came before the East Area Rapist began murdering was on October 1, 1979. He broke into a home at around 2am and told a woman to tie her boyfriend up.

Andreypopov / Getty Images

He put the woman in the living room and rummaged through the couple's belongings. The woman freed herself and ran into the streets to call for help. The woman's neighbor saw the attacker fleeing via bicycle and chased after him, but he escaped. After this, he began killing all of his victims after raping them.

9. On December 30, 1979, Robert Offerman and his girlfriend, Debra Alexandria Manning were found dead.

United Press International

Manning's wrists were bound with twine, and Offerman was at the foot of the bed. Manning had been raped and was killed from a single shot to the back of the head. Offerman had one shot in his chest and three in his back.

10. After more murders, the Golden State Killer disappeared for a stretch. Beginning around 1981 his crimes seemed to stop.

NBC

It wasn't until 1986 that The Golden State Killer's next known murder. His victim was 18-year-old Janelle Cruz. Janelle had been raped and bludgeoned to death. It wasn't immediately known if the Golden State Killer was responsible, but DNA evidence eventually confirmed it.

11. April 24, 2018, Joseph James DeAngelo was taken into custody by police who suspect he's the Golden State Killer.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

DeAngelo was linked by a DNA sample from his home. Officials have not said what led them to seek his DNA. DeAngelo's neighbors found him odd and said he mostly kept to himself, but didn't suspect him of being responsible of these rapes and murders throughout the '70s and '80s.