CA CA - East Area Rapist aka The Original Night Stalker 1976-86

[dotr]

Killer is family of and very familiar with the phantom killer"s" in Texarkana late 1940s after the Cold War. 1960s California is struck by a nightmare. One killer left California and moved back south while the other/others stayed to terrorize The Golden State

Welcome to Ws LostChild!
Considering that certain traits and inclinations may run in families, that is a very intriguing suggestion that EARS may be related to the " Phantom Killer ".
imo, speculation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texarkana_Moonlight_Murders

 

[snowleopard]

Killer is family of and very familiar with the phantom killer"s" in Texarkana late 1940s after the Cold War. 1960s California is struck by a nightmare. One killer left California and moved back south while the other/others stayed to terrorize The Golden State

I did a quick lookup on Wikipedia a found info under the heading of "Texarkana Moonlight Murders". The female victim in the Hollis/Larey attack claimed the assailant was black and didn't understand why the police wanted to talk her out of that:

"She also explained that she did not understand why officers did not believe her when she told them the attacker was black and that she did not know who he was. She said officers attempted to coerce her into stating that she knew the assailant.[8] Larey described him as a man with a white mask over his head, with cutout places for his eyes and mouth. Because Hollis was blinded by the flashlight before being beaten, he did not notice a mask. Although Hollis believed he was a dark-tanned white man, Larey believed he was a light-skinned African American "because of the way he pronounced the curse words he growled."[9] They agreed he was about six feet tall."

 

[Dodsworthy]

Hi Morf, the company firewall won't let me on the other board, but I have an opinion on the tattoo. I think it's a side profile of a leprechaun, with his coat tails blown up..I'm on there as Pluckman56. Cheers..

 

[snowleopard]

Melbourne Australia? Mr Cruel perhaps? More unsolved cases, some similarities but different in other ways...... can they change to a different victim type (age)?

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Your reference to Mr Cruel caused me to find this podcast on him (has a new one on EAR/ONS too):

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/48762029?autoplay=true

There are some differences, no murder in home, young girls targeted, calm demeanor, early victims not killed etc, but there are some interesting things mentioned: was alone in homes but pretended to talk to someone, used knots used in nautical applications, high level of forensic knowledge, ate in home, staged elements of robbery etc as diversion and others. There are 3 official attacks attributed, but the police have alluded to attacks back to at least 1984. Some descriptions of his age match range for ear/ons. Very interesting!

 

[Stone78]

Did ANY other member of LE see this guy besides McGowan?

 

[dotr]

Did ANY other member of LE see this guy besides McGowan?

Welcome to Ws Stone 78!
No mention of any other LE spotting him according to this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visalia_Ransacker

On December 12, 1975, a man was spotted walking through one of the neighborhoods in which the Ransacker had been active. When Detective William McGowen attempted to question the man, the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot at McGowen, shattering his flashlight. McGowen survived the attack, but the shooter was able to escape. [h=2]Possible connection to the Original Night Stalker[/h]Following his altercation with the shooter, Detective McGowan resumed his search for the Visalia Ransacker. At about the same time the Ransacker stopped his crime spree in Visalia, a serial sex predator dubbed the "East Area Rapist" (more commonly known as The Original Night Stalker) began attacking people in their homes in Sacramento County, California. Based on witness descriptions of the East Area Rapist and the method of operation which was used to carry out his crimes, Detective McGowan attempted to link the Ransacker crimes to the sexual attacks in the Sacramento-area

 

[GreyClay]

Casefile truecrime podcast, has just aired its first episode of four parts on The East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker.

Part 2 is now available:

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/50223999

 

[colette]

Here is part one

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/50148280?autoplay=true

 

[Lindsgreen]

New to the forum but not to this case.. one thing that is clear is that the EAR is quite smart, methodical, compulsive and patient. What I find interesting is how nonsensical some of his actions are, I.e. Stealing cars to only drive them a few blocks away, taking prescriptions but ditching them in the neighbors yard.. the list goes on. Are these tactics to throw off LE and confuse profilers? I believe that he definitely has an inner conflict going on and seems to be at odds with himself, but at the same time his actions and use of phrasing is almost theatrical (I will disappear into the dark night/fog). I do have a question, and I apologize in advance if it has been asked before, has there ever been consideration as to the use of public transit like the BART? It would have been easy to leave his vehicle and quickly travel around the Bay Area unnoticed. Also, has his DNA been cross referenced against other DNA from cold cases nationwide? If he isn't dead he is still active.

 

[dotr]

New to the forum but not to this case.. one thing that is clear is that the EAR is quite smart, methodical, compulsive and patient. What I find interesting is how nonsensical some of his actions are, I.e. Stealing cars to only drive them a few blocks away, taking prescriptions but ditching them in the neighbors yard.. the list goes on. Are these tactics to throw off LE and confuse profilers? I believe that he definitely has an inner conflict going on and seems to be at odds with himself, but at the same time his actions and use of phrasing is almost theatrical (I will disappear into the dark night/fog). I do have a question, and I apologize in advance if it has been asked before, has there ever been consideration as to the use of public transit like the BART? It would have been easy to leave his vehicle and quickly travel around the Bay Area unnoticed. Also, has his DNA been cross referenced against other DNA from cold cases nationwide? If he isn't dead he is still active.

Welcome to Ws Lindsgreen!
It certainly seems like the EARS was trying to throw off the investigation by the variety of seemingly nonsensical actions.Did he want people to think he was "just" a low level drug addict and car thief?
But who feels that confident and comfortable just taking random cars without any real need, or preparing and eating food from someone's fridge, showing disdain, imo by not taking $ valuable jewellery, just things of sentimental value to the victim?
Imo, a spoiled, snobby and catered to, bully.
The character of Joffrey, in Game of Thrones comes to mind.
speculation.

 

[Lindsgreen]

Thanks for the welcome! I completely agree, his arrogance is noteworthy. He is in no rush and seems to enjoy the game of fear, which I feel is the main motivating factor. Is there a sexual proponent? Yes. But is that at the core of what drives and compels him? He enjoys the stalking phase, takes joy in "knowing " his victims, and likes to stay connected to them. I also find it curious that he uses the diamond knot to bind the wrists of the victims, which is also referred to as the friendship knot. Could this be his little twisted symbolism of unity between himself and the victims? Just spitballing ideas.. I totally believe that through every suggestion could possibly be the answer.

 

[GreyClay]

Part 3 of the podcast:

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/50295221

It seems as though the 4-part podcast will only focus on the East Area Rapist, without going into the Original Night Stalker murders.

I wonder if that means Casefile will do a series of separate podcasts on the ONS murders?



***

One thing that seems INSANE to me is that there is still only a $50 000 reward for this guy, which works out at $1000 for each of his 50 rape victims and nothing at all for the 12-13 murders he committed.

Here in Australia we (fairly) routinely offer $1 000 000 rewards for information about people who have committed ONE murder.

Surely a MUCH bigger reward could be offered that might make an old acquaintance who had strong suspicions (but was still fairly terrified of the suspect) come forward?

$50 000 isn't even a years salary for a lot of people, it's certainly not the kind of money that you could use to start a completely new life far, far away from Sacramento.

 

[dotr]

Wondering if the relatively small reward is so that LE do not receive too many bogus tips, or cause too much competition and hoarding of information between people?
50k seems just enough to cover expenses of someone who is not motivated by cash, but by doing the right thing and those motivated by the reward, might be satisfied with any amount.
imo, speculation.

https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/help-us-catch-the-east-area-rapist

“Just like any homicide investigation,” Belli said, “our lifelines are people who give us information. It all boils down to people helping.” He added that the $50,000 reward could motivate someone to come forward. “It may push somebody over the edge who knows something. It could provide us with that one tip we need.”

Investigators are urging the public to provide law enforcement with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem. If someone knows a person in the right age range who lived in the area at the time and who seemed suspicious or who may have had some involvement, “we can determine where they are living,” Belli said. For those who come forward, he added, “we are very discreet about privacy and confidentiality.”

Knutson, too, believes that capturing the East Area Rapist is still possible. “Sometimes it’s just one call that makes a difference,” he said. “If we get that one call and we are able to compare DNA and say, 'Yes, it’s him,' then we have him. But it starts with that one call, and that’s why we are seeking the public’s assistance.”

Being a Sacramento native makes this case even more meaningful for Knutson. “This is my home,” he said. “This is where I’m from. The fact that he did his crimes here I take personally, and I’m proud that I’m able to work with the local sheriffs' offices to investigate this case and try to get this guy in custody.”
We need your help. Individuals with information are urged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Information may also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

 

[Leprikawn]

If you put too much on a reward, I can see the trouble with getting too many tips.......each tip has to be investigated to the very end. But having a large reward I think can get the one tip, from a person close to the killer, to come forward.
This case is fascinating on so many levels. I have wondered if he changed methods and started committing different crimes. Maybe his mind got more perverse as he started raping people. Maybe he started kidnapping kids. In the 80's all through Northern California kids went Missing. Kevin Collins, Michaela Garecht, Amber Swartz Garcia, Ilene Mischelof, and others. It may be reaching but I don't think a person like him would ever stop. He might change, but he had the taste for inflicting terror and I believe he was addicted to it.


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[GreyClay]

Part 4 has been released:

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/cas...-the-east-area-rapist-19781979part-4-50364374

 

[GreyClay]

And Casefile has also released Part 5, which deals with the Original Night Stalker murders:

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/casefile-true-crime-podcast/e/50364373

 

[elledarkly]

[FONT=&quot]Hi Everyone! I’m a fellow couch detective who has recently became acquainted with this case. I’ve got a theory of my own that I wanted to share, feel free to let me know your thoughts![/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I believe the EAR was a lot younger than the authorities suspected him to be, which allowed him to more easily fly under the radar. Someone who is 16 can easily look older if they are tall for their age. Not to mention the victim sketches make him look very boyish. (This is not related, to this crime but a few summers ago there was a serial rapist around Toronto who victims described was in his 20s… when they caught him they found out that he was 15) [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The mix up with age could have also lead the authorities to look in the wrong places. Assuming he was 18+ plus, they would’ve looked at military personal. But did they look into Eagle/Boy scout chapters around sacramento? How about reform school’s for boys? He was definitely from the same upper/middle class that his victims were from, but more than likely could’ve had behavioural issues as a child/preteen which could’ve caused his family to send him to a reform school, which could explain his military style approach.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If he was from an affluent family he would’ve been spending summers away, hence why he was ‘inactive’ during summer months, and then you see the activity begin in September right when he’s back for school.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]In the summer of 78 is when his movements start to become more erratic, which would lineup with him graduating high school at 18 and then basically having the freedom to do whatever.. would be interesting to see if any similar crimes occurred in popular holiday destinations around summer months of 76, 77 would prolly be too difficult at this point[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Anyway that’s all I got for now haha feel free to let me know what you guys think.. but I feel like the authorities may have been looking in the wrong place, hence why it was quite easy for this ‘kid’ to slip through the cracks [/FONT]

 

[GreyClay]

[FONT=&amp]Hi Everyone! I’m a fellow couch detective who has recently became acquainted with this case. I’ve got a theory of my own that I wanted to share, feel free to let me know your thoughts![/FONT]

Hi elledarkly, and welcome!

It's an interesting theory, and I agree that police have been looking at the wrong type of suspect, but I doubt the EAR/ONS was very young (eg 18 in 1978) for two main reasons:

1.) Before there had even been a single rape the EAR had almost certainly killed one man (Claude Snelling), and attempted to kill a police officer (Detective William McGowen) when he fired a gun right at him, which luckily hit a flashlight instead.So if you include all of the Visalia Ransacker crimes including murder and attempted murder which started back in April of 1974 then I don't think a 14 year old is going to be able to successfully get away with committing the crimes.

2.) The EAR was seen dozens, possibly HUNDREDS of times, driving various different vehicles, parking them close to houses where EAR attacks were about to occur. It wasn't that uncommon that 5 or even 10 different people would see him sitting in a car in the month or week before an attack. Of course it was only AFTER the attacks, when the police came knocking on their doors, that the significance of this information was realised. I think he had to have been in possession of a driver's license and also had some form of employment which allowed him unquestioned access to many different vehicles and also false number-plates.I can't see anyone in school in 1976 being able to get hold of a dozen different vehicles, and not just for one night either! Sometimes the same car would be spotted for an entire week or two leading up to an attack.

MOO of course...

 

[elledarkly]

Thanks for your input GreyClay, that definitely make sense!

So I just spent over 2 hours reading all the previous posts :scared:

I didn't even know about VR! This entire case just gets crazier and crazier..

Maybe he started with the first abduction and murder as VR at 15 (the cop that he faced off with said that he felt like he was dealing with a teenager) :thinking: which then would make him 17 when starting his spree in Sacramento and which point he could drive. Maybe his family owned a car dealership, which could give him access to cars?

if he's 17 and was a member of boy scouts at 14 or whatever, that would explain his fresh knowledge of knots. That's where he could've been shamed for the size of his manhood as well..

I feel like the investigators may have missed an opportunity by not looking into 17-19 year olds more thoroughly.. but maybe they did, I obviously wasn't there LOL

I have 15 more pages of posts to read, this is truly riveting

 

[snowleopard]

Just a reminder, EAR/ONS/GSK case covered this Sun, 6/11, on "On the Case / Paula Zahn" on Discovery ID. Show runs at 10:00pm and 1:00a Mon.