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Cold Case Files (CCF) profiled this case tonight, actually it devoted the whole hour episode to it, where as UM's segment was only 20 minutes. Let me tell you, it was scary. I was watching it at 6pm and it was still light out, but every noise in the house made me turn around. And this profile had something UM's didn't... his alleged voice left on a victim's answering machine. That was the most blood chilling part of the whole show. Made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. He kept saying in this demonic whisper "gonna kill you", "gonna kill you". And being that this case is still unsolved, all through the episode CCF kept showing a ski mask with the eye cut outs glowing. It was so spooky, like a phantom. Well, I guess if you think about it, he is a phantom. It went on to say that through DNA testing he's been linked to over 50 murders and rapes. Its scary to think this guy was never caught, atleast not for these crimes. I love UM and CCF, even though afterwards I freak myself out letting my imagination get the better of me, but I always find a sense of relief at the end when on UM they have an update where they caught the criminal or CCF where 99% of the time it concludes with the conviction of the guilty. But I was left unsettled at the end when CCF said this was still unsolved. The segment on UM was done quite a while back so I thought CCF's story was going to tie this up in their account, which like i said is often the case.

Whoa, creepy. This one sounds vaguely familiar. What area of the country is this from?

I believe a lot of the attacks were in California. Yes, Alastair I also watched that program a few months back. Absolutely chilling hearing those taped phone calls...:eek: Here is a website with a lot of info about the case:

http://www.ear-ons.com/investigate.html

Oh yeah, I remember that one now. He was similar to Richard Ramirez, but never made a misstep and never got out of control and always covered his tracks. He must have died long ago, or got locked up for something else and died in prison. How did they determine if it was him that did the killings? If the rapist and killer were the same, then why did he move to So Cal to start killing? It seems like a different MO, attacking couples so he can rape the female in ear shot of the male, then kill them both afterwards. The only similarities seem to be that they both were home invasion rapists and the death victims were dead so they can't tell what the perp looked like (ski mask and such that the rapist wore).

He was linked to all of the cases through DNA. All of them had the same profile so it was the same guy. This guy acted alone it seems and it also seems like he is probably the most successful serial killer in history because as far as anyone can tell he has never been caught. A few years ago they were able to test the DNA of everyone on Cali's death row and none of them matched the East Area Rapists DNA profile.

I dont think the East Area Rapist actually changed his MO all that much when he went to southern California except for the fact that he had started killing people in addition to "only" raping and terrorizing them and scaring them for life. The reason he went to southern California is anyone's guess.

My personal theory is he was there because he moved there. He was residing in the area, he either moved there for work or perhaps wanted to throw the cops off his trail. Although to be honest the latter I feel is unlikely. The reason is, I think and this is just a personal theory, that the East Area Rapist didnt want to throw the cops off his trail. He liked the attention and the excitement and he liked taunting the cops and his victims. He seemed to enjoy doing all this and it seems with every crime he did and got away with it his arrogance grew that he could basically do whatever he wanted and never get caught.

It is also my opinion and this is easier to say in hindsight, but it is my opinion the cops up in Sacramento bungled this case miserably. This rapist was so bold in fact, he would actually go to the townhall meetings, he is thought to have went to at least one of the townhall meetings about himself.

He even did some of these crimes while having only a bicycle for transporation. He was nearly caught in 1977, but somehow he was able to outrun a sheriff's deputy even though he was only on a bicycle. The East Area Rapist could be dead or perhaps physically disabled but I wouldnt be at all surprised if he moved to a different state and continued killing there as well.

So when were the last crimes that were attributed to EAR?

The last one that was for sure linked to him was a rape/homicide that occured on May 5th, 1986 in Irvine, California.

Wasn't this case on UM referred to as the Original Night Stalker? He must have died after 1986 since the guy had gotten so good at what he did, how could he stop unless dead? I doubt he got locked up for some other crime that would have put him away for years. Maybe he moved across the country and switched up his MO a little as to cover his trail.

I actually dont think he is dead. I do think it is very possible that he could have moved elsewhere. I tend to doubt he is in prison too because they collect DNA samples from prisoners these days. Maybe he is still active but more careful? The EAR if he can avoid detection as long as he did, he is the type that would keep up to date on all the latest technologies and figure out how to keep up his sick escapades it would be him.

it astonishes me that ear hasn't had the attention that killers like the zodiac or hillside stranglers etc had. i never even heard of him until i saw that um segment and later saw the episode on Cold Case Files. maybe it was because they didn't know the extent of his crimes until 2001. ear seems more prolific, cunning and bolder than the above mentioned killers. to call your victims years later after the attack and further haunt and terrorize them is beyond sadistic. when listening to the tape recording from the answering machine i could have sworn i heard a female voice in the background at one point, he could have had a tv on I suppose but just as possibly could have been married just like BTK and because he was whispering his wife didn't hear what he was saying, just a theory. i think out of all the crime stories i've watched and all the ones that have gone unsolved, his case seems to be the most sinister and disturbing to me. if society is lucky, he's dead. if not, he's either mellowed out with time or has gone undetected in another location. those 2 victims who escaped by hopping away were so lucky. on a side note, i love robert stack and bill kurtis as narrators. robert stack has that raspy voice that adds to the spookiness of the storytelling and bill kurtis has this grandfatherly way about him. i love his voice inflections and his choices of words to illustrate a story. for instance "april 26, 1992..a lonely stretch of highway engulfed by the nights darkness is pierced with the glow of headlights..." etc. not word for word but an example. it's like listening to a ghost story you hear at camp, your interest immediately perks, well for me anyway. i think he'd be the only one fitting enough to take over hosting duties on a new UM.

i thought the same thing kardmas. he seems very sly to be caught for another crime. if he's that smart to not be caught for all those murders and rapes then i doubt he's dumb enough to be caught for a lesser or equal crime. i tried to put myself in the mindset of a criminal when thinking about these cases and i also agree with you that with the advancements in forensic science a rapist/killer would be more careful not to leave his biological evidence behind. i really don't believe hes in our nations prison systems because with all the dna databases available to law enforcement they would have picked up a hit by now. hes either in hell/mellowed out/disabled and can't/ or still active but still just flying under the radar.

Well, you know, I was watching AMW tonight and they had the so called "NorCal" rapist who has been on the loose for 17 years. I dont think this rapist and the EAR are the same guy but I do think NorCal used the EAR as his mentor. NorCal is still on the lose and he first hit in 1990 and he spends hours at a time with his victims and calls them on the phone after the attack and all sorts of crazy stuff.

if anyone's interested this is the link to the page where there's an audiofile of his voice on a victim's answering machine. from the site crystal listed above.
http://www.ear-ons.com/investigate7.html

Well, you know, I was watching AMW tonight and they had the so called "NorCal" rapist who has been on the loose for 17 years. I dont think this rapist and the EAR are the same guy but I do think NorCal used the EAR as his mentor. NorCal is still on the lose and he first hit in 1990 and he spends hours at a time with his victims and calls them on the phone after the attack and all sorts of crazy stuff.
You saw that too? I was thinking this guy is emulating EAR wearing masks to try not to be seen by cameras, pulling home invasion rapes in No Cal, calls the victim to further terrorize them, cleaning up evidence, etc.

wow never heard of him but if they're not the same they're eerily similar. sorry i missed tonight's show. i've always loved true crime shows not only because they're of course fascinating but i think i've become more aware of my surroundings, there are many lessons to be learned thats for sure. i read the posts here often but just as lurker. by the way, anyone know why youtube doesn't have the um cases they used to anymore? they used to have angela hammonds case and many others including ear not released on dvd but can't seem to find them on youtube anymore.

Well, this case is interesting. I actually hadnt heard of the "nocal" rapist until tonight. This guy is similiar in many ways to EAR but he differs some too. Like, how he would do some of the assaults in plain view and without masks on during the assaults itself. He did this on at least one occasion where he did not where a mask as they were able to make a composite drawing of him. However this other stuff he does like with the ATM's where he spray paints the camera so it cant see him and also wearing a clear mask so it is hard to tell his facial features.

This guy is incredibly arrogant but he is also smarter than the average Joe. I just dont think a guy could "get lucky" that many times and not get caught unless he knew what he was doing. I mean he would steal the victims atm cards and then use them. He would take their personal possessions as trophies and call them, sometimes even call them at their places of work.

Now this phone calling business especially matches EAR to a tee. The EAR also had an incredible level of arrogance. Clearly the EAR had little to no concern about getting caught to linger around in a victim's house for hours, even taking smoke breaks in the living room and even stopping to eat and have something to drink? Doesnt seem like a guy that is really worried about getting caught.

I think in at least some of the instances the EAR had stalked his victims before hand and knew at least a fair amount of them. Clearly he knew their names because he would look them up and call them sometimes years after the fact. I also think that he even in some instances watched the victims AFTER the fact just to taunt them and keep control over them psychologically.

I also watched the rerun of the EAR/ONS episode of Cold Case Files a couple days ago. One thing struck me: the whole business with the cup and saucer. It sounds like something out of a movie, and I'm wondering if he actually thought it up himself or if he got it from a movie/book/tv show. Any ideas?

I also think he could still be alive. Just look at BTK. They thought he was dead for years until he finally just couldn't help himself and contacted the media. He probably never would have been caught if it hadn't been for his need to feed his ego! And contrary to what someone said upthread, it is very possible for someone to be in prison and not show up on any DNA databases. In fact, the investigator in this case is trying to get California law changed to get mandatory DNA tests in California prisons, IIRC.

The law has already been changed. They are trying to expand it even further but California already has around 1 million DNA profiles in its statewide databank. On death row, all their profiles are in the databank, that was changed a few years ago. So at the very least it isnt anyone in the state death row that was EAR. If a life prisoner were approved for parole lets say, they would have to submit a DNA sample. In California, proposition 69 was passed in 2004 that requires anyone convicted of any felony to submit their DNA sample. This law is retroactive and applies to all prisoners currently in prison. It also applies to people currently on probation or parole for felony offenses. However it is unclear if it would apply to former convicts that are out of prison and no longer on probation or parole. Also, starting in 2009, anyone arrested for a felony will have to submit a DNA sample meaning even if the charges are dropped or even if the person is acquitted you would still have a DNA sample in the databank.

The law has already been changed...
Thanks for the info.

Here are some links regarding the victims from Ventura. The Ventura County Star newspaper did a 26 part series about 5 and a half years ago regarding this incident:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2002/nov/03/

If you decide to read all of the articles, I would recommend printing out the "Who's who" portion as there are quite a few folks mentioned and it can be hard to keep track of everyone:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2002/nov/12/

There is still a private investigator in the county that continues to investigate this double murder:

http://www.ojairotary.org/THEREMINDER040105.htm

The investigator indicates that there is someone they suspect. I have not found much since 2005 regarding this case.

I found the most interesting thing about the E.A.R. case from CCF is that at one of the town hall meetings where they were discussing what to do about the E.A.R. , a man in the audience protested quite profusely about the people being victimized. Saying that no husband would sit by idly and watch his wife being raped.
Then I believe they said a week or two later that same man was targeted and was tied up and forced to watch the E.A.R. rape his wife. When they showed pictures of the town hall meeting I found myself scanning the audience members to see if i could spot somone that looked supspicious....then laughed and the idiocy of that notion to myself.

I found the most interesting thing about the E.A.R. case from CCF is that at one of the town hall meetings where they were discussing what to do about the E.A.R. , a man in the audience protested quite profusely about the people being victimized. Saying that no husband would sit by idly and watch his wife being raped.
Then I believe they said a week or two later that same man was targeted and was tied up and forced to watch the E.A.R. rape his wife. When they showed pictures of the town hall meeting I found myself scanning the audience members to see if i could spot somone that looked supspicious....then laughed and the idiocy of that notion to myself.

Yes, it's a silly notion that the attacker would somehow stick out, but it's a real possibility that you could actually catch him using that photo! We know with about 99% certainty that he was at that meeting. It might take years of work, but it could be done.

i suppose you could narrow it down. he sounds young from the recording of his voice and they think he was between 15-25.....i wonder if you do an in depth analysis of his dna if you could figure out stuff like hair color, eye color....I don't honestly know how that stuff works. Perhaps its possible. Whoever the guy is he seems like one of the most clever, calculating criminals I've read about. A true upper tier mastermind.

thats an interesting theory, joshy, in regards to identifying physical traits through dna analysis. i've never heard of it being done but i'm sure with advanced technology and research the possibility of determining an individuals genetic characteristics willl one day be a reality. can you imagine what a great crime solving tool that would be?

For more information on the Nor Cal Rapist, check out www.norcalrapistinfo.com. I missed the EAR case, but certainly the Nor Cal Rapist likes to imagine himself as someone lethal, even though he hasn't yet killed any of his victims (that we know of anyway). If you live in the western U.S. check out his sketch and profile....you never know who will know him.

For more information on the Nor Cal Rapist, check out www.norcalrapistinfo.com. I missed the EAR case, but certainly the Nor Cal Rapist likes to imagine himself as someone lethal, even though he hasn't yet killed any of his victims (that we know of anyway). If you live in the western U.S. check out his sketch and profile....you never know who will know him.
Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't get that link to work.

Welcome to the board! :wave:

There is more info on the "NorCal rapist" on America's Most Wanted's website. In my opinion the two are not one in the same but they do have similiar traits. It makes me think that Norcal has and is using EAR as his "role model" of sorts. It is creepy though that Norcal like EAR has been active for over a decade and not been caught.

Hmm, this could be the East Area Rapist: It is a killing in his old stomping ground, Ventura County.

http://cbs2.com/local/faria.beach.ventura.2.1016499.html

Hmm, this could be the East Area Rapist: It is a killing in his old stomping ground, Ventura County.

http://cbs2.com/local/faria.beach.ventura.2.1016499.html
The lack of sexual assault on the victims would lead me to believe it's definitely not the EAR-ONS, but I have to admit, there are some eerie similarities. Even the photo of the Husteds (in the link below) is reminiscent of the photos of the ONS victims. A copycat, maybe?

Here's an interesting link:
http://www.truecrimediary.com/index.cfm?page=cases&id=92

The East Area Rapist was one bold bastard. I can't believe he had the audacity to stick around for hours at his victims' homes before leaving, and also call them up to taunt them. He seems to be bold like the Zodiac, although there are some differences. It's eerie that around the same time that the Zodiac quit sending his letters, the EAR would appear. Also, Sacramento is an hour away from the Bay Area.

Does anyone know if the police has ever found a solid suspect in the case.

The East Area Rapist was one bold bastard. I can't believe he had the audacity to stick around for hours at his victims' homes before leaving, and also call them up to taunt them. He seems to be bold like the Zodiac, although there are some differences. It's eerie that around the same time that the Zodiac quit sending his letters, the EAR would appear. Also, Sacramento is an hour away from the Bay Area.

Does anyone know if the police has ever found a solid suspect in the case.

1. I believe that EAR/ONS and Zodiacs DNA were compared and showed up negative. Don;t quote me on that, but I believe Tom Voight at zodiackiller.com checked on it.

2. I think a big reason why EAR/ONS has remained hidden so long and why he was so bold has to do with the possibility that he was either in the military or he was a cop.Many people have adhered to that theory. He was way to skilled to have picked up his skills on his own. Somebody trained him in those techniques. A police officer and a soldier are the type of people that would not be looked at in usual circumstances.
It makes me wonder if there was some soldier went AWOL at the times the murders took place. This would be something the army police would never share with the cops unless specifically asked.

3. I almost have to think that EAR/ONS had to have moved his residence to commit the southern murders. I don;t know if he was constantly driving back and forth from up north to commit those murders. Which leaves an interesting question as to why easy could it have been for him to up and leave his home and possesions to move down south?

I came across this recent article about one of the ONS homicide cases. The article acknowledges the 30th anniversary of the murders of Lyman and Charlene Smith. They were killed by Original Night Stalker in March of 1980.

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/mar/13/murder-cases-15-minutes-of-fame-keeps-ticking/

I came across this recent article about one of the ONS homicide cases. The article acknowledges the 30th anniversary of the murders of Lyman and Charlene Smith. They were killed by Original Night Stalker in March of 1980.

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/mar/13/murder-cases-15-minutes-of-fame-keeps-ticking/

Wow, it JUST hit me...this guy's got to be in his mid-to-late 50s now. That murder was 30 years ago and he was commiting violent offenses and subduing grown men at least 4 years before that. I guess I just always picture him still as a young offender.

There was major speculation that a man in Pelican Bay, Paul "cornfed" Schneider, was the EAR/ONS however the DNA tests cleared him. I always wondered what was it about him specifically that the investigators considered him a likely suspect because Mr. Schneider was born in 1964.


EDITED TO SAY: I was born and grew up in Rancho Cordova and I have to say that when I first discovered the ear/ons website and saw the photos taken of the first known crime scene, on Paseo Way, it sent chills through me. I was floored. I was living on Malaga at the time. It was eerie to see the neighborhood I spent my youth in as a psychotics stomping grounds. I know how this guy got around, he utilized the gully/ditch system that runs throughout Rancho and the bike trail that can lead you over the river to Arden/Del Dayo and Citrus Heights. Spooky.

Wow, it JUST hit me...this guy's got to be in his mid-to-late 50s now. That murder was 30 years ago and he was commiting violent offenses and subduing grown men at least 4 years before that. I guess I just always picture him still as a young offender.

I have to find the website..but someone made a point that if EAR/ONS was a soldier or cop he may still be with his corresponding organization. At age 50 or more he could have moved up pretty far.

A high ranking cop or offcier would have a lot of advantages in keeping his identity secret.

An interest side note on this theory is that it might explain why EAR/ONS stopped. He stopped because he got promoted. This is similar to theory that EAR/ONS stopped because he got married.

I have to find the website..but someone made a point that if EAR/ONS was a soldier or cop he may still be with his corresponding organization. At age 50 or more he could have moved up pretty far.

A high ranking cop or offcier would have a lot of advantages in keeping his identity secret.

An interest side note on this theory is that it might explain why EAR/ONS stopped. He stopped because he got promoted. This is similar to theory that EAR/ONS stopped because he got married.

If the killer had gotten married following his last known murder (i.e., the May 1986 murder of Janelle Cruz), it would make sense. As a married man, it would be difficult for him to continue killing and still escape detection. Well, it wouldn't be impossible for him to sneak out of his house for a kill or two while his family was asleep, but it would have been only a matter of time before he slipped up.

Perhaps, while he is out of the house committing a murder, his wife and/or children could wake up unexpectedly (especially to use the bathroom) and notice that he is missing. Such a possibility could be enough to discourage him from killing. But of course, this is all just speculation.

By the way, last week I sent a letter to America's Most Wanted, asking them to a segment on the Original Night Stalker. Since AMW has a history of featuring unidentified serial killers such as the Zodiac Killer and the BTK Strangler (eventually identified as Dennis Rader), I figured it couldn't hurt to suggest the ONS case to them.

Well, I personally believe that it is very likely, not for sure, but very likely that the EAR was in the Air Force in the mid to late 1970's and might still be there. Although as was mentioned if he was still in, by this point he would be very high ranking. But the locations in the mid to late 1970's and even with his killings, all of them were located within a reasonable vicinity of Air Force bases, many of which have since been closed but a few are still open. Heck, look at the so called 'bedroom basher' down in Orange County, California that was killing in the late 1970's, Gerald Parker. He was a Marine Corps Sergeant at the time he was killing people in Orange County, all of his killings and rapes were in reasonable vicinity of the Marine Corps Station in Tustin, California where he was stationed. That station has since been closed.

Well as I mentioned in another thread, the EAR is actually a suspect also in a bunch of home burglaries that occurred in Visalia, California in 1974 and 1975. At the time, that suspect, who was never caught was known as the 'ransacker'. Those crimes occurred from April 6th, 1974 to December 10th, 1975. Visalia is a city of about 90,000 people about 50 miles south of Fresno and about 70 miles north of Bakersfield. Those ransackings abruptly stopped on December 10th, 1975 when a police officer was shot while trying to apprehend the suspect. The officer survived but the suspect escaped. The ransacker was also the primary suspect in the September 11th, 1975 murder of a college professor and in the attempted kidnapping of his college age daughter. During the 'ransackings' the ransacker hit at least 125 homes.

The first confirmed EAR attack occurred in Rancho Cordova on June 18th, 1976. Then he moved on to Carmichael on July 17th, 1976, then back to Rancho Cordova on August 29th, 1976, then two attacks in Citrus Heights on September 4th and October 5th, 1976. Back to Rancho Cordova on October 9th, 1976. Then he pulled two attacks on the same day in two different cities. 2:30 AM in Carmichael and then at 11:00 PM in Rancho Cordova, both on October 18th, 1976. He continued with attacks in Citrus Heighs and Rancho Cordova and Carmichael until January, 1977 when he first moved into the city of Sacramento itself. He continued attacks in all of these cities and then on May 5th, 1977 moved into Orangevale, California. He continued attacking in the Sacramento area until September 6th, 1977 when he attacked in Stockton. He then returned to the Sacramento area and for the first time attacked in Foothill Farms, California which like Orangevale is part of the Sacramento metro area. On March 18th, 1978 he attacked again in Stockton. His last known attack in Sacramento was on March 14th, 1978.

He then attacked in Modesto on June 5th, 1978. He then made an attack in Davis, California on June 7th, 1978. Then returned to Modesto on June 23rd, then back to Davis on June 24th. He made one more attack in Davis on July 6th before moving into Contra Costa County. Two attacks in Concord, on October 7th and October 13th. An attack in San Ramon on October 28th. Attacks in San Jose on November 4th and December 2nd. Then an attack back in Contra Costa County in Danville on December 9th. Then he dropped off for a few months, April 5th, 1979, an attack in Fremont which is in Alameda County. Then four more attacks in Contra Costa County, from June 2nd to July 5th, 1979. Two in Walnut Creek and two in Danville.

Then on October 1st, 1979 he moved into Goleta in Santa Barbara County. That is the one where the couple escaped and he ended up running off as he had lost control of the situation because it got to a point, the man was in the backyard and the woman was in the front yard screaming so he had two people in two different places and he had lost control and fled. The murders of Dr. Robert Offerman and his girlfriend Alexandria Manning occurred on December 30th, 1979 in Goleta. The EAR is also the prime suspect in the murders of Gregory Sanchez and his girlfriend Cheri Domingo that occurred in Goleta on July 27th, 1981. Sanchez and Domingo lived half a mile from where Dr. Offerman and Manning lived.

The murders of Charlene and Lyman Smith in Ventura occurred on March 13th, 1980. Then the murders in Orange County happened. Patrice and Keith Harrington were murdered in Dana Point on August 19th, 1980. Manuela Witthuhn was murdered in Irvine on February 5th, 1981. Janelle Cruz was also murdered in Irvine on May 4th, 1986. Cruz's home was approximately one mile from where Witthuhn lived.

The EAR is also the prime suspect in the murder of a couple in Rancho Cordova on February 2nd, 1978. December 12th, 1977 was when the EAR was nearly caught but managed to on a bicycle outride a sheriff's deputy. The EAR abandoned the bike was abandoned and it was later discovered that it been reported stolen from Redding, California which is what 150 miles north of Sacramento?

Well, I personally believe that it is very likely, not for sure, but very likely that the EAR was in the Air Force in the mid to late 1970's and might still be there. Although as was mentioned if he was still in, by this point he would be very high ranking. But the locations in the mid to late 1970's and even with his killings, all of them were located within a reasonable vicinity of Air Force bases, many of which have since been closed but a few are still open. Heck, look at the so called 'bedroom basher' down in Orange County, California that was killing in the late 1970's, Gerald Parker. He was a Marine Corps Sergeant at the time he was killing people in Orange County, all of his killings and rapes were in reasonable vicinity of the Marine Corps Station in Tustin, California where he was stationed. That station has since been closed.

This is an excellent point! I remember watching this episode some years ago and started thinking that possibly, the reason he is able to allude captivity or being identified is because he is either a cop/law enforcement or in the military. I started thinking about the military idea when they said that the ESR suddenly moved from the Sacramento area, to Southern California area. Maybe his base was shut down or moved or perhaps, he was transferred or given a promotion and had to move. I wonder if we could check into which military bases (if any) shut down between the time period of the last Sacramento related attack and the first Southern California attack? If in fact a base was shut down or moved, you may have suspect just waiting to be identified.

I wonder if we could check into which military bases (if any) shut down between the time period of the last Sacramento related attack and the first Southern California attack? If in fact a base was shut down or moved, you may have suspect just waiting to be identified.

Yes. I believe it can be done.

Something else to consider is the possibility that EAR/ONS was promoted.
He may have had to leave to somewhere like Germany to be a commanding officer. There may have been fewer positions open on the current base he was on.

I've always wondered whether EAR/ONS joined the military because he thought he would go to Vietnam for combat. But perhaps the war ended before he got a chance to serve. Feeling frustrated and needing combat, he may have taken up these murders as an opportunity to stay battle ready.


Another theory brought up was that EAR/ONS was the son of a high commanding police officer or military officer.

Yes. I believe it can be done.

Something else to consider is the possibility that EAR/ONS was promoted.
He may have had to leave to somewhere like Germany to be a commanding officer. There may have been fewer positions open on the current base he was on.

I've always wondered whether EAR/ONS joined the military because he thought he would go to Vietnam for combat. But perhaps the war ended before he got a chance to serve. Feeling frustrated and needing combat, he may have taken up these murders as an opportunity to stay battle ready.


Another theory brought up was that EAR/ONS was the son of a high commanding police officer or military officer.

Another thing to consider is, how did the rapist get the phone numbers of the victims? Reports said that the killer would stalk his victims after the attacks and then call them. Well of course he has their address but the phone number could have been obtained from police evidence. Just a thought....

The Sacramento Bee had an article, a poorly written article but an article nonetheless, today about Larry Crompton's new book coming out re: the ear-ons. I'm on my friend's Mac right now and don't know how to cut-n-paste so apologies for no linkage. Just go to: sacbee.com and search for ear-ons.

I placed my order for the book today. Seriously I cannot wait.

I too believe that there is a strong possibility he is in the military...HOWEVER, one major flaw exists with this theory. When you are in the military they keep your DNA on record. Surely law enforcement would have gone to the local military bases at the time and scrubbed their info with DNA records of the military. IF not then, what about now? They would still be able to contact the military and scrub their DNA records today.

I too believe that there is a strong possibility he is in the military...HOWEVER, one major flaw exists with this theory. When you are in the military they keep your DNA on record. Surely law enforcement would have gone to the local military bases at the time and scrubbed their info with DNA records of the military. IF not then, what about now? They would still be able to contact the military and scrub their DNA records today.How long has this policy existed? DNA technology was in its infancy back in the late 60's and 70's? Perhaps the military didn't take any samples from the EAR back then. This is, however, assuming the EAR was in the military.

How long has this policy existed? DNA technology was in its infancy back in the late 60's and 70's? Perhaps the military didn't take any samples from the EAR back then. This is, however, assuming the EAR was in the military.


I was in the military from 1984-1989. Unless they took a DNA sample during my checkups, they didn't take any DNA samples from me. I don't think it became policy until the early 90's. They did, however, take fingerprints of all service members.

I don't believe that EAR/ONS was in the military. Not because military guys wouldn't do that, but because the difficulty a military member would have faced getting the free time necessary to commit the number of crimes that he's been accused of committing. Also, next to old people, there are few people that are "all in your business" like military members.

When you are stationed on a base, everybody is always watching you. Even if you live off base, you usually live around or near other military members (unless you are part of a very small detachment) so you will encounter people that will be watching you there as well.

It's doubtful that a person w/ the myriad psychological issues that EAR/ONS apparently has would have made it for long in the military. In fact, I've always thought that EAR/ONS was from a privileged family given the amounts of free time he seemed to have to commit crimes.Coming from a wealthy family would explain his free time, his obviously advanced education and the fact that he apparently had money to travel and had no job.

I tend to agree with your assessment. Not sure about the privileged family thing but it makes sense when you say it. Some how he received some kind of training however, maybe not from the military, but from professional organization. At the very least in knot tying. Who knows, maybe he was just a really good boyscout. I've got to think we will discover his identity sometime soon. His DNA has already been ping'd in 2001. It's only a matter of time.

hey can someone do me a favor?

If you have the time please go to the ear-ons.com website and click on "links" there is one called "Casebook of the Bedroom Basher". After clicking that link it provides a bunch of information about the ear-ons. One amazing link the site coordinator set up is a Google Earth zip file of the assault locations, throughout California. I would do this myself but for whatever reason, my computer is buggy with Google Earth. Can someone forward me the Rancho Cordova, Orangevale, & Sacramento addresses or at least the street names? Maybe Google Earth snapshots if they exist.

I would like to travel to these spots and snap photos, to share with you guys, and show how the surrounding areas. I think it'd really help everyone get an idea of just how patterned his targets were: ranch-style homes abutting greenbelts, golf courses, gullys, ditches, cul-de-sacs, bike trails, etc.

Did anyone see this new development in the case? Apparently, DNA evidence has proved that Cheri Domingo and Gregory Sanchez were both murdered by the Original Night Stalker. It had been suspected for several years that the Domingo-Sanchez murders were done by EAR/ONS.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42927464

If you all ever wondered why there is a Hell, its because of people like the EA rapist.

Did anyone see this new development in the case? Apparently, DNA evidence has proved that Cheri Domingo and Gregory Sanchez were both murdered by the Original Night Stalker. It had been suspected for several years that the Domingo-Sanchez murders were done by EAR/ONS.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42927464
I was just about to come and post about this! This is huge. Here's an L.A. Times article (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-original-night-stalker-20110506,0,4102502,full.story) as well. I wonder if there are other victims out there who haven't been tied to him yet.

ETA: There are a few details in the L.A. Times article that I didn't know about:
1. The German shepherd. Has this ever been mentioned before. Corky, is it in the book?
2. There was a dead suspect whose body was exhumed to do DNA testing, but it wasn't a match. Does anyone know who this was or why he was a suspect?

Yeah the German Shepard thing is in the book - I wrote about it in my book review I did on here

The anal rape of the male was the most shocking development in the book

Yeah the German Shepard thing is in the book - I wrote about it in my book review I did on here

The anal rape of the male was the most shocking development in the book
Thanks! I should have looked back thru old threads. I didn't remember the german shepherd, although I read all of the reviews here thoroughly!

Thanks! I should have looked back thru old threads. I didn't remember the german shepherd, although I read all of the reviews here thoroughly!

Its in the EAR book thread

This is so big!! It was pretty obvious all along (I think, judging by crime scenes and dates that these were the work of ear-ons but hot damn this clinches it. More publicity for this case is always good news, even though I'm of the opinion we will unfortunately never know who he is. Its just so disheartening that there is NO FREAKING CLUE on who this guy is or what he looks like.


1. The German shepherd. Has this ever been mentioned before. Corky, is it in the book?
2. There was a dead suspect whose body was exhumed to do DNA testing, but it wasn't a match. Does anyone know who this was or why he was a suspect?

1. Yes its mentioned as was answered above. A dog missing a toe on one of its paws I believe. The dog thing is so odd and hints at what a bizarre and confusing individual ear-ons was. Did he use the dog as a ruse for walking through neighborhoods inconspicuously? Did he live near there? Was the dog just happening by and he let it in? Why the dog at that crime scene and not others? Did he leave and bring the dog back with him?

2.I have no idea who that would have been. The only named suspect that I'm familiar with is that Aryan Paul "Cornfed" Schneider guy they enacted that DNA law for. He was cleared but I've often wondered why he was such a hot suspect. Ties to the areas only or was he known to have a similar m.o.? On that whackadoo A&E website they talk about some guy, long dead from a drug deal in Mexico, who was part of a gang in the Goleta area called the "Haskell Locals". I guess he was always a big suspect in those Goleta murders.


What do you guys think? Do the Goleta murders being confirmed now just confuse the issue further or will this realization hold the key to unlocking the mystery?

EDITED TO ADD: I figured out the Google Earth thing, ignore my previous request for help.

I asked my husband who is in the military if they took a DNA sample from him. They did, twice. But he said both times were right before he deployed to the middle east. So that got me to wonder if the military actually analyzes the DNA and puts it into a database where it can be cross checked with FBI inquiries,, or if they just store it in case a soldier gets blown up to bits and the only way to make an identification of the body is by DNA. My husband didn't know if it goes into a database where it can be checked against DNA left at a crime. If they don't, there's still a possibility the ear could be in the military.
And, it was speculated on here that he may have quit killing because he got married. I noticed his last victim was killed in the month of may. Isn't June the most popular month in which to get married?

Just hearing that Answering Machine message of the ONS's voice is enough to give me nightmares! :(

Just hearing that Answering Machine message of the ONS's voice is enough to give me nightmares! :(

This guy has GOT to be caught.

I'd hate to see him go down as Jack the Ripper or the Torso Slayer, notorius serial killer never identified.

No excuse for it to happen today with DNA technology.

Of course, they have his DNA, just haven't linked it to anyone.

I've read somewhere recently they are still getting tips and leads on this case to this day. So there is definitely still hope.

This guy has GOT to be caught.

I'd hate to see him go down as Jack the Ripper or the Torso Slayer, notorius serial killer never identified.

No excuse for it to happen today with DNA technology.

Of course, they have his DNA, just haven't linked it to anyone.

I've read somewhere recently they are still getting tips and leads on this case to this day. So there is definitely still hope.
I wonder if this person is dead. Or if they are alive and have stopped killing in fear of being caught. In all likelyhood the person probably left california at the least and is perhaps living somewhere else. either way I don't believe this person is incarcerated because you would think the Law would have found him by now if he was. interesting....maybe one day we will have an answer.

I asked my husband who is in the military if they took a DNA sample from him. They did, twice. But he said both times were right before he deployed to the middle east. So that got me to wonder if the military actually analyzes the DNA and puts it into a database where it can be cross checked with FBI inquiries,, or if they just store it in case a soldier gets blown up to bits and the only way to make an identification of the body is by DNA. My husband didn't know if it goes into a database where it can be checked against DNA left at a crime. If they don't, there's still a possibility the ear could be in the military.
And, it was speculated on here that he may have quit killing because he got married. I noticed his last victim was killed in the month of may. Isn't June the most popular month in which to get married?
I do believe that the DNA profiles for military members are loaded in a database. We were informed in basic training that our DNA profiles were on file when I was in AF Basic Training. They told us that all military members are required to provide a DNA/Blood sample that will always remain on file. I think the DNA serves for identification purposes across the board regardless of the situation. So if this person was in the military(modern times) I do feel they could and probably should have found him by now. The question is when did the military start this practice? I joined the AF in 2004. If this person was in the military back in the 60's or 70's they might not have practiced DNA extraction then from their members.

While the killer does seem to have some type of understanding of stealth movement, authortative practice, and control, I personally do not believe that this person has a military background personally. It is possible however as some( a very small %) of military personnel do have advanced training in these areas. Regardless this is, or was, a very disturbed individual from a mental standpoint. I do not believe that this perp would have stopped the attacks cold turkey on his own. Maybe a life altering event could delay future occurrences, but anything beyond incarceration or death would only delay the inevitable that he would go back to attacking again.

I think this person is probably someone who was very intelligent, opportunistic, and lucky not to have been caught or killed during one of his attacks. Perhaps he has already been caught or killed somewhere and has just not been linked yet to the unsolved crimes. that is my best guess on the situation.

Another reason I feel this person might be dead is that over time he seemed to push the envelope. Obviously this person thought out many of his crimes and selected his victims. Over time I feel that as he selected tougher attacks that gave himself more of a thrill, although he still chose carefully to ensure he maintained complete control. It is very possible that eventually he made a mistake and was killed or injured severly. This may have happened somewhere remote to the locations in california and perhaps it has not been linked.

Is this the segment in which the guy would put dinner plates on people and tie them up in bed and if the plates fell off the person he would threaten to kill everyone in the house? I don't recall this one, is it on the forbidden site?

Is this the segment in which the guy would put dinner plates on people and tie them up in bed and if the plates fell off the person he would threaten to kill everyone in the house? I don't recall this one, is it on the forbidden site?
yeah that's the one. at first the attacker would stalk single homes of females, but as the attacks progressed he started to attack homes with men present. He would tie or have the man tied up and placed dinner plates on the man's chest. He would take the female to another room and assault her. If he heard the plates rattling he knew the man was trying to escape. So he threated to kill if the man moved. This guy was all about terrorizing people.

Does anyone know if EAR was ever featured on America's Most Wanted?

Does anyone know if EAR was ever featured on America's Most Wanted?

To my knowledge, no. But I once wrote to AMW, recommending that they do a segment on the case.

To my knowledge, no. But I once wrote to AMW, recommending that they do a segment on the case.
yeah that would be good to see them air the show. this one needs to be closed!

yeah that would be good to see them air the show. this one needs to be closed!

I couldn't agree more. Otherwise, I would never have written to AMW on the matter. The show has a good history of featuring unsolved homicide cases, so I thought - and still think - the case would be an appropriate one for AMW to profile. I recommend writing to AMW with that suggestion.

Since AMW receives a high volume of mail, it is impossible for them to accommodate every story suggestion (and that was undoubtedly the case for UM). But if enough of us write to them suggesting that they do a segment on the Original Night Stalker, maybe they eventually will. One never knows unless one is willing to try. And since AMW will be back on the air via Lifetime next month, now would be an opportune time to send the story idea to the show.

The mailing address is:

America's Most Wanted
P.O. Box Crime TV
Washington, DC 20016

I plan to write to AMW again at some point with other story ideas, but I will certainly reintroduce the ONS case to them.

This case and the Richard Ramirez case makes my blood run cold. The absolute evil is so consuming its makes one forget to breath. This case is unique in that we actually saw the man evolve into killing. He literally perfected his craft. I mean when he went on to kill it was usually couples. Which I am thinking has something to do with his parents. I think attacking alone had a lot to do with his mom. I am thinking that the mom could have be the abuser and the dad was powerless to stop or didn't stop. I am not sure, just a theory. I think that he disappeared for one of three things, 1.) He died, and the world can breathe a little easier. 2) He messed up and ended up in prison(however, in the cases that were shown no mistakes were mentioned, but nobodies perfect. 3.) and this is the scariest theory, he left to perform this craft elsewhere, which means its evolving and getting deadlier. The best thing to do is the police to contact other police stations across the country and see if his MO matches up anywhere. No matter how much he evolves somethings are going to stay exactly the same.

This case and the Richard Ramirez case makes my blood run cold.

Same here! I think I've mentioned this before but the book about the Richard Ramirez case ("The Night Stalker" by Philip Carlo) is one of the few books I literally had to stop reading out of pure disgust. At least in that case, though, the guy was eventually caught (by an awesome mob of everyday people) and put behind bars.

The original Night Stalker is even more horrifying because he's not been caught. :eek:

Does anyone know if any true crime books have been written about the original Night Stalker (not Ramirez)?

Same here! I think I've mentioned this before but the book about the Richard Ramirez case ("The Night Stalker" by Philip Carlo) is one of the few books I literally had to stop reading out of pure disgust. At least in that case, though, the guy was eventually caught (by an awesome mob of everyday people) and put behind bars.

The original Night Stalker is even more horrifying because he's not been caught. :eek:

Does anyone know if any true crime books have been written about the original Night Stalker (not Ramirez)?

Someone told me that a detective on the case wrote a true crime book about the Original Night Stalker called "Sudden Terror".

Someone told me that a detective on the case wrote a true crime book about the Original Night Stalker called "Sudden Terror".
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=271096

Great thread about EARS/ONS and lots of scary details from the book!

Woohoo, thank you! I will definitely read it. (Although if the title is any indication I may have to peruse it only during daylight hours when someone else is home, lol)

My wacko theory is the East Area Rapist and Zodiac are the same person.

OMG, I clicked on the related link posted that takes you to another thread on this site about the EAR, I read the whole thing, and thought I was going to brown out in my pants! That is some creepy ass stuff! I made the mistake of reading it at night while alone....my bad....my cat meowed and I almost had a heart attack.

EAR must have gotten injured, died, or put in jail for something else (or maybe even relocated to another country?) because someone twisted like that just doesn't stop.

I noticed it seems the book on EAR discusses how small his penis is. Not to sound yucky, but did any of the victims state whether or not the penis was circumsized? The reason I inquire about this is because it give LE a little history or help narrow the suspect pool by age or where the suspect grew up. For example, in the 1970's an American man in his early 20's would likely be circumsized if he was born in a hospital. An American man in his early 20's in the 1970s would likely be uncircumsized if he was born at home, meaning he might have grew up in smaller community or farming community. So it could help determine where the EAR grew up, possible family religious beliefs, how old he might have been at the time of the attacks, and maybe even nationality (example, most european men are not circumsized, so maybe EAR wasn't born in USA). Just some thoughts. Again, I apologize fo being yucky, and I know it wouldn't be the "smoking gun" LE would need, but anything more about we can learn about EAR at this point would only help.

OMG, I clicked on the related link posted that takes you to another thread on this site about the EAR, I read the whole thing, and thought I was going to brown out in my pants! That is some creepy ass stuff! I made the mistake of reading it at night while alone....my bad....my cat meowed and I almost had a heart attack.
.
Sorry ;) It is a really good thread but scared me a lot, too. Especially the pictures and descriptions of things like him tapping on car windows and waiting in backyards! This is one of my most followed UM cases and I really hope it will be solved someday. I agree that EAR/ONS is probably either dead or incarcerated.

OMG, I have some news!!! Someone mentioned earlier about a film being made about the life of EAR's last victim, Janelle Cruz. The film is called Bird With a Broken Wing. I checked the forbidden site using the name of the film and the word "trailer" and there a 7 minute clip (trailer #3) that interviews Janelle's mom!!!!

Get this! In the clip, Janelle's mom talks about how Janelle went to a girlfriend's place for a sleep over, and this girl's father gave them vodka and after Janelle got messed up her raped her! Janelle's mom explains that the man was in the military and seem pretty powerful so no charges were laid. Hmmmm.....could this person BE the EAR???

Couple of tidbits related to EAR/ONS:

* The ID program "Dark Minds" will be profiling this case during their upcoming season. The episode will air sometime in 2013.

* Detective Lawrence Pool has created a channel and uploaded several programs that focused on EAR/ONS. Just search: lpoolnetwork.

Couple of tidbits related to EAR/ONS:

* The ID program "Dark Minds" will be profiling this case during their upcoming season. The episode will air sometime in 2013.

* Detective Lawrence Pool has created a channel and uploaded several programs that focused on EAR/ONS. Just search: lpoolnetwork.
interesting story

Re-posting this because it got bumped off of the last page of this thread and I don't think anyone saw it, and I think it's important info!

OMG, I have some news!!! Someone mentioned earlier about a film being made about the life of EAR's last victim, Janelle Cruz. The film is called Bird With a Broken Wing. I checked the forbidden site using the name of the film and the word "trailer" and there a 7 minute clip (trailer #3) that interviews Janelle's mom!!!!

Get this! In the clip, Janelle's mom talks about how Janelle went to a girlfriend's place for a sleep over, and this girl's father gave them vodka and after Janelle got messed up he raped her! Janelle's mom explains that the man was in the military and seem pretty powerful so no charges were laid. Hmmmm.....could this person BE the EAR???

Woah...I watched the video and that *is* really interesting information. It seems like if Janelle Cruz wasn't going to press charges, he would have less of a motive to kill her, but you would have to rule this guy out. After all, the killing stopped after Janelle's murder...he might have been scared that he could be tied to her and didn't want to push his luck. It's shocking that Janelle's mom didn't bring this information to the police...or maybe she did and they ignored her? It's not totally clear from the video...it sounds more like she never said anything.

I haven't read Crompton's book. Does he say that there's evidence EAR/ONS had a vascectomy? I think you might be able to tell this from semen samples. The rapist's wife told Janelle's mother he was "fixed." Whether that's true or not, we don't know, but it would be a way to rule him out.

Wow interesting find! They definetley need to check that man out, any lead is worth following up now with the ear/ons aging quickly if still alive. The only problem with that suspect would having a teenage daughter doesn't exactly fit the age/mobile lifestyle of the ear but if it was a step daughter and he moved down to SoCal and stopped killing because of this new family would make sense.

Creepy-ass or what??? I thought the interview with Janelle's mom was very interesting. Now, considering how obvious this guy that apparently raped Janelle seems, I doubt he is EAR. However, I'd like to know if he was looked at, and also, EAR seemed to taunt and terrorize his victims later, so if this guy did rape Janelle, maybe showing up to kill her was his final victory?

Nowheregirl, good point about the "fixing"....I don't know if semen samples can tell that either, but good thought!

EAR truly terrifies me like no other criminal has ever done. I mean, GOD, I live in Canada, I'm a guy who lives with another guy, EAR likes women in California, and he's probably too old to take me out anyway, BUT...he still frightens me!!

Re-posting this because it got bumped off of the last page of this thread and I don't think anyone saw it, and I think it's important info!

OMG, I have some news!!! Someone mentioned earlier about a film being made about the life of EAR's last victim, Janelle Cruz. The film is called Bird With a Broken Wing. I checked the forbidden site using the name of the film and the word "trailer" and there a 7 minute clip (trailer #3) that interviews Janelle's mom!!!!

Get this! In the clip, Janelle's mom talks about how Janelle went to a girlfriend's place for a sleep over, and this girl's father gave them vodka and after Janelle got messed up he raped her! Janelle's mom explains that the man was in the military and seem pretty powerful so no charges were laid. Hmmmm.....could this person BE the EAR???

Mentioned a couple of years ago here (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=4592210&postcount=67) about BWBW. I had a brief conversation with Cameron Cloutier about his desire to see the project through. He mentioned to me at the time that he was conducting these interviews with people close to Janelle.

Cameron also posted on the AEtv board that Janelle had relayed to either her mother or a friend that she felt like she had been watched when at a local pool, this was in close proximity to her home (and around the time of her murder).

I haven't read Crompton's book. Does he say that there's evidence EAR/ONS had a vascectomy? I think you might be able to tell this from semen samples. The rapist's wife told Janelle's mother he was "fixed." Whether that's true or not, we don't know, but it would be a way to rule him out.

EAR/ONS was a non-secretor.

EAR/ONS was a non-secretor.

How is that possible since he left DNA behind on several of the victims?

How is that possible since he left DNA behind on several of the victims?

Non-secretor only refers to the fact that he does not secrete a blood type. There is still ejaculate and still DNA. And actually, he left DNA at all of the murder scenes, for sure. And of course, a number of the earlier rapes.

How is that possible since he left DNA behind on several of the victims?

I think DNA is found in lots of things likes, sweat, blood, saliva, tears, hair that still has the root attached, skin cells, and even poop! lol I think they've also developed something called "touch" DNA testing where in some cases they can extract DNA from an item that was merely touched by a person.

This is one of my favorite cases! I don't know how in the world this guy pulled it off! I still find it hard to fathom though that he wasn't caught. For instance, one lady said that she looked out her window one day and saw him across the street snooping around a neighbors house and looking into the windows. So instead of calling the police, she decides she's just going to close her blinders and not report it in fear of losing her privacy.

EAR/ONS was a non-secretor.
From what I can find in the internet, being a non-secretor doesn't have anything to do with whether you've had a vasectomy or not. In a way, it would be more valuable to know whether he had a vasectomy b/c the non-secretor status is a random genetic trait, but a vasectomy would tell us something about the profile of the killer: age, "family man," etc. Most insurance companies will not cover a vasectomy prior to age 35 if you haven't had children (a friend of mine wanted one as a young man but waited so insurance would pay for it).

From what I can find in the internet, being a non-secretor doesn't have anything to do with whether you've had a vasectomy or not. In a way, it would be more valuable to know whether he had a vasectomy b/c the non-secretor status is a random genetic trait, but a vasectomy would tell us something about the profile of the killer: age, "family man," etc. Most insurance companies will not cover a vasectomy prior to age 35 if you haven't had children (a friend of mine wanted one as a young man but waited so insurance would pay for it).

Just pointing it out as a fact, that EAR-ONS was a non-secretor. Didn't mean to intimate that he had a vasectomy (or didn't).

Dark Minds on ID at 9 tonight will be covering the EAR

Here's a neat article about the ongoing manhunt:

http://www.lamag.com/features/2013/2/27/in-the-footsteps-of-a-killer

Man that Dark MInds show is a load of ****

Man that Dark MInds show is a load of ****


Whoa.

http://www.lamag.com/offtherecord/2013/03/25/new-evidence-investigators-release-a-third-recording-believed-to-be-of-the-golden-state-killers-voice---nsfw

It's most definitely him.

Holy CRAP!!!! I'm totally terrified all over again. AND, coincidentally, I ordered Sudden Terror, Larry Crompton's book, and it arrived yesterday morning. I'm a bit too scared to read it, though.

Holy CRAP!!!! I'm totally terrified all over again. AND, coincidentally, I ordered Sudden Terror, Larry Crompton's book, and it arrived yesterday morning. I'm a bit too scared to read it, though.

I'm too scared to read that book, too. :(

I started reading the book this afternoon - it's not bad. The biggest thing I have noticed so far (only about 40 pages in) is that EAR really knew the victims, often addressing them by name and saying how he saw them here or there. He also terrorized the rape victims by telling them that they had better perform well (in no uncertain or polite terms) or he would kill everyone in the house.

I listened to the new recordings and they are pretty spooky. I wonder why they waited so long to release this information? If you haven't checked out the link Corky posted, you NEED to!

I read the article link, and while it's a good read, it kinda ticks me off that the author is naming him the Golden State Killer....like she somehow "discovered" him, or something. His name is EAR/ONS and has been for over 30 years.

I came across a .pdf of "Sudden Terror" and although I don't really like reading books on my PC, it is nice having it in this format. You can do quick reference searches with a Cntrl-F. It comes in handy, especially for this book and this case.

Regarding EAR knowing his victims, yes, absolutely. As he evolved, he broke in prior to the rapes and would set these people up. If they had a handgun in the nightstand, he would remove it. If they had a knife under the mattress, he would toss it.

He stole personal effects prior to the rapes in order to mentally torture these people mentally. He wanted to mind-f### these women as much as anything. Paraphrasing the words of Larry Crompton: 'As bad as the rapes were, that's not what the women reported, they reported the terror and the fear -- they really thought they were going to die and could nothing about it'.

About Michelle McNamara's article. I think it's an extraordinary read that really brings you into her world and kind of defines a lot of peoples experiences as they discover this case and get obsessed with it. She has a style of writing that is neither too esoteric, nor too verbose -- it hits all the right emotional points. Just my opinion though.

I'm sure naming him 'Golden State Killer' was something that she mulled over with LE. Let's face it; this whole case has been a victim of the times and the m.o. and different jurisdictions. One place knows him as a serial rapist and another area knows of a serial killer who stops suddenly.

It has always been my understanding that, according to Larry Pool, EAR-ONS was "sold" to the press as "The Night Stalker" prior to Ramirez. I have never read any of the So. Cal papers from 1979-1981 but I'm sure if Pool says it, it's so. The fact that Richard Ramirez's murders occurred in 1984-1985 and EAR-ONS was not active then kind of enabled a re-branding with that name -- for Ramirez. So EAR-ONS pops up in '86 and what do you call him? Well, he's the ORIGINAL Night Stalker.

Much of the success in capturing these people is the ability to market the case in a way that is easily understood by the public and has a catchy name. EAR-ONS-GSK just doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. With it comes the explanation of the serial rapes and then the serial murders. Ugh.

Perhaps they should have just gone with "The Night Prowler" all along.

ohno:

Holy CRAP!!!! I'm totally terrified all over again. AND, coincidentally, I ordered Sudden Terror, Larry Crompton's book, and it arrived yesterday morning. I'm a bit too scared to read it, though.

It's a great book. I knew about ons but it wasn't till I read the book that I realized I lived in the heart of his hunting ground. I used live at sunrise and madison in citrus heights. One attack happened across the street from my apartment complex, still creepy living there 35 years after it started.

Anybody watch the dark minds episode? Anybody have any thoughts on the program?

I saw the Dark Minds episode, but it wasn't that great, imo. The host kind of drives me.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book and I've almost lost interest. The book is VERY good, but what is boring me is the cop talk..."Jim, we gotta catch this SOB"..."Sh1t, he struck again!"..."The bastard hit again"...stuff like that. It's a lot of filler that way. I would rather read about facts than police banter (banter that is speculated to some point, as the author admits). So, while I still intend to finish the book and look forward to some more good stuff, it's not a big priority for me as it was when I first got the book. For the first 100 pages, I couldn't put it down!!!

Whoa.

http://www.lamag.com/offtherecord/2013/03/25/new-evidence-investigators-release-a-third-recording-believed-to-be-of-the-golden-state-killers-voice---nsfw
not trying to be funny, but that kind of sounds like charlie sheen.

I saw the Dark Minds episode, but it wasn't that great, imo. The host kind of drives me.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book and I've almost lost interest. The book is VERY good, but what is boring me is the cop talk..."Jim, we gotta catch this SOB"..."Sh1t, he struck again!"..."The bastard hit again"...stuff like that. It's a lot of filler that way. I would rather read about facts than police banter (banter that is speculated to some point, as the author admits). So, while I still intend to finish the book and look forward to some more good stuff, it's not a big priority for me as it was when I first got the book. For the first 100 pages, I couldn't put it down!!!
I actually thought the dark minds episode gave a little more accounts...yeah seeing two guys debate back and forth about him can get annoying. but they did give some details that I never saw before.

Ugh-I wonder why the investigators didn't release the audio files earlier? Someone could have identified the ONS sooner...:rolleyes:

Anyway, there's new more evidence regarding the ONS. The article is a two months old, but it's still quite relevant...

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/09/09/public-assistance-sought-in-original-night-stalker-case-after-new-evidence-uncovered-in-irvine/

With the new evidence, as well as audio files, it wouldn't surprise me if investigators are going to have a big break through soon...

Ugh-I wonder why the investigators didn't release the audio files earlier? Someone could have identified the ONS sooner...:rolleyes:

Anyway, there's new more evidence regarding the ONS. The article is a two months old, but it's still quite relevant...

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/09/09/public-assistance-sought-in-original-night-stalker-case-after-new-evidence-uncovered-in-irvine/

With the new evidence, as well as audio files, it wouldn't surprise me if investigators are going to have a big break through soon...

Lets hope so. This piece of garbage has walked free far to long.

At first I didn't think so but now I tend to agree that he was in the Air Force. He wouldn't still be serving now unless he were in a civilian role. There is one base that still exists (Travis) that is a joint base with both active duty and reservists.and there are a few others. The fact that the killer seemed to know his victims and that more than one of them were military is also intriguing. One of the victims was an Air Force cop. Another victim was told that she looked good in her uniform or something along the lines I can't remember.. He could have been a military cop which would explain the apprehensive nature of his crimes. He could have been active duty but as a reservist(which would have kept him in California a long time and he possibly could have left the area on duty or off which explains the time between strikes. I think his status could have provided a cover for him. Another theory would be that as a reservist he could commute to and from duty across the whole state and not even remain in the area after the fact.

I hope enough evidence some day comes to light so this creep can be identified. Part of the problem may be public awareness.....seriously, this guy wouldn't have stopped, so if he is alive he is probably locked up somewhere for a similar crime. I doubt the m.o. would have changed that much, so I think other crimes across the states have to be examined for similarities....but if people don't know about EAR/ONS, how do they know what they are even to be looking for? I keep thinking that there is some little community somewhere in a totally different state that has his locked up, and when they hear about EAR the light bulb will go off: "Hey, that sounds like that guy that was convicted back in 1990...", know what I mean?

There are now 3 recordings of his voice floating about. I've listened to all of them. In the most well-known one (the one where he breaths heavily, says "gonna kill you" 3 times and calls her swear words and names) there is a female voice in the background. I'm not sure if LE ever noticed this or investigated it. Perhaps it's just a t.v., but if the ONS was brazen enough to actually make that call in a business or something, perhaps that could have been traced? Probably not now due to the passage of time and what not.

I know it's possibly tacky for me to mention another forum on here, but I felt I should point out that it looks like the semi-famous A & E message boards, which contain a whole forum for discussion about the Cold Case Files episode of the ONS will be going away soon. It has been around for years. Unfortunately, the A & E network has gone into the pisser in the last several years. Bates Motel is the only thing on there I've enjoyed recently. I have zero interest in Duck Dynasty.

Which sort of reminds me, I would love to see the E! THS investigates episode on this. Also, Mysteries and Scandals sounds like a good program. I haven't been aware of any of that airing on the channel recently, but they do show a lot of junk. Except for Soup. I love that show.

I have a question about the composite sketches: Does anyone know how they came about? Because I thought he always wore a mask. And I have to wonder why they are all different. None of them resembles any other.

I also wonder if the ONS/EAR is also the Visilia Ransacker? That would add to the crime totals and body count.

I just read they think he was left-handed. Certainly should narrow the suspect pool considerably.

I know it's possibly tacky for me to mention another forum on here, but I felt I should point out that it looks like the semi-famous A & E message boards, which contain a whole forum for discussion about the Cold Case Files episode of the ONS will be going away soon. It has been around for years. Unfortunately, the A & E network has gone into the pisser in the last several years. Bates Motel is the only thing on there I've enjoyed recently. I have zero interest in Duck Dynasty.

Which sort of reminds me, I would love to see the E! THS investigates episode on this. Also, Mysteries and Scandals sounds like a good program. I haven't been aware of any of that airing on the channel recently, but they do show a lot of junk. Except for Soup. I love that show.

I have a question about the composite sketches: Does anyone know how they came about? Because I thought he always wore a mask. And I have to wonder why they are all different. None of them resembles any other.

I also wonder if the ONS/EAR is also the Visilia Ransacker? That would add to the crime totals and body count.

I just read they think he was left-handed. Certainly should narrow the suspect pool considerably.

You can watch the E! documentary online. Just type East Area Rapist in google, select "videos" and it will come up. Several people have posted it in full and in parts on the forbidden site. It's quite good, I think.

Police are 99% sure that Visilia Ransacker and EAR/ONS are the same person. Like EAR/ONS, VR had a very similar method to breaking into the homes and often took strange items rather than valuable ones. Other similarities include: Both used stolen bikes to get to and from crimes scenes. Both used lube for masturbation at the scene. Both ate food at some crime scenes before leaving. Both stole family photos. Both are believed to have called victims on the phone and threatened them. Both used the gun with their left hand. Also, the profile of the EAR says that he would have a history or peeping or break-ins, and the profile of VR says he will evolve to rape.

You are right, from everything I have read no one has seen his face. The sketches are from people that thought they saw him on the street or prowling around houses. None of the actual victims ever saw his face because he always wore a mask. I think that's why, as you correctly pointed out, none of the sketches seem to really match at all! One policewoman, I believe in the E! documentary, said that he did vanish for a while after one particular sketch, which led LE to believe the sketch was very close to how he really looked, so much so that it spooked him into hiding for a while.

I know it's possibly tacky for me to mention another forum on here, but I felt I should point out that it looks like the semi-famous A & E message boards, which contain a whole forum for discussion about the Cold Case Files episode of the ONS will be going away soon. It has been around for years. Unfortunately, the A & E network has gone into the pisser in the last several years. Bates Motel is the only thing on there I've enjoyed recently. I have zero interest in Duck Dynasty.
I don't think it's tacky at all. The A&E message boards are broadly considered to be THE place to discuss EAR/ONS. It's a shame that they're going away. I got sucked down the rabbit hole there once. There were hundreds of posts buy folks who had a loved-one who was murdered or missing and the case had never been solved. They just wanted answers...so sad. It highlighted the need for shows like UM. There are so many cases that get zero police attention, much less media attention.

I don't think it's tacky at all. The A&E message boards are broadly considered to be THE place to discuss EAR/ONS. It's a shame that they're going away. I got sucked down the rabbit hole there once. There were hundreds of posts buy folks who had a loved-one who was murdered or missing and the case had never been solved. They just wanted answers...so sad. It highlighted the need for shows like UM. There are so many cases that get zero police attention, much less media attention.
Was the EAR in San Diego? http://earonsgsk.proboards.com/thread/339/gsk-murders-san-diego

This featured on Crime Watch Daily today, apparently they've released new info on some high-end china and flatware that the EAR stole from victims.

As a total aside, it's interesting in how television production has evolved over the years. From when UM and A&E covered the case to 2017 where on daytime TV they make it a point to highlight that all of his victims said he had an "extremely small penis", then following it up with one of his now middle-aged victims being interviewed in person concurring "Yep, he had a very small penis". Had to laugh.

https://crimewatchdaily.com/2017/12/12/new-details-released-in-hunt-for-golden-state-killer/