A notorious serial killer who spread fear across California for over a decade faced justice, with a unique detail leading to his capture – his unusually small genitalia. Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho’s new book, “The People vs. the Golden State Killer,” reveals the intricate investigation that led to the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, the infamous Golden State Killer.
DeAngelo, now 80, confessed to 13 murders, over 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries that terrorized California from 1974 to 1986. A former police officer, he used his law enforcement background to prey on victims, often breaking into homes at night, restraining his victims, and committing brutal assaults.
Ho’s book depicts how investigators meticulously used all available evidence to connect the elderly suspect arrested in 2018 to the elusive killer who had evaded capture for decades. One crucial piece of confirmation came from the victims themselves, who had described the perpetrator’s unusually small genitals.
Upon DeAngelo’s arrest in Citrus Heights, detectives obtained a warrant for a comprehensive medical examination. The author recounts a surreal scene as a police photographer meticulously captured images of DeAngelo’s genitals, revealing their minuscule size.
Despite the humiliating nature of the evidence, it played a pivotal role in matching victim statements from the past, ultimately confirming the prosecutors’ case against DeAngelo. The capture of DeAngelo marked the end of a long pursuit by law enforcement, known by various aliases such as the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker.
The breakthrough in the case came in 2018 when investigators utilized crime scene DNA from old evidence on a genealogy website, leading them to the DeAngelo family. Subsequent DNA analysis from a discarded tissue outside his residence conclusively linked DeAngelo to the crimes.
DeAngelo, a former police officer dismissed for theft, eventually pleaded guilty to numerous charges, avoiding the death penalty. Survivors and victims’ families delivered impactful statements during the sentencing, providing closure to those affected by his reign of terror. DeAngelo now serves multiple life sentences at California State Prison without the possibility of parole.