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Cold Case Arrest Made in Golden State Killer Investigation

By George Khoury, Esq. on April 25, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

News has been breaking nationwide that, thanks to DNA evidence and the persistence of investigators, law enforcement has made an arrest in the Golden State Killer cold case. The case was made infamous by a couple different true crime genre series and a book written by Michelle McNamara.

Apparently, more than 40 years after the first rape, Joseph James DeAngelo, currently 72 years old, and a former law enforcement officer, was just arrested. Investigators believe DeAngelo fits the profile for the rapists and murderers that have been dubbed the East Area Rapist, the Original Night Stalker, the Diamond Knot Killer, and as well as others, during the last four decades, throughout the state of California.

History of Horror

DeAngelo's crimes sparked widespread fear in many communities throughout California. His M.O. was downright frightening. He often entered homes unnoticed, then tied up his victims, and would rape the women under threat of violence and death. He not only victimized women home alone, but also children, and couples.

DeAngelo is believed to have raped 50 individuals and killed 12. He was a police officer from 1973 to 1979 in Auburn and Exeter, and was fired in 1979 for shoplifting. Now DeAngelo faces several capital murder and rape charges.

One of the critical facts being reported involves law enforcement securing DeAngelo's discarded DNA. Fortunately, for law enforcement, discarded DNA can be tested without a warrant. When the DNA sample was compared to those from the decades old crimes, it matched. However, rather than rushing in to make the arrest, law enforcement surveilled DeAngelo for nearly a week in order to make sure the arrest would be without incident.

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