For decades, the Golden State Killer terrorized California, and no one knew his name. How did investigators finally identify Joseph James DeAngelo and connect the crimes of the Visalia Ransacker, East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker?

In this Halloween episode of Para(normal), Marie goes solo to trace one of America’s most notorious cold cases. From chilling home invasions and threatening phone calls to the evidence that connected crimes across California, she follows the investigation that led to a breakthrough through genetic genealogy.

Along the way, Marie explores Michelle McNamara’s work and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, how investigator Paul Holes and genetic genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter helped narrow the search using GEDmatch, and the DNA comparison that finally identified the man behind the crimes.

At the heart of this story are the victims, the survivors who lived with unanswered questions for decades, and the families who fought to keep their loved ones remembered.

In this episode:

• The Visalia Ransacker burglaries and the escalation to murder.

• The East Area Rapist attacks and the Original Night Stalker connection.

• Michelle McNamara’s determination to keep the case in the public eye.

• How DNA evidence, genealogy databases and family trees helped solve the case.

• DeAngelo’s arrest, sentencing and the survivors who confronted him in court.

Content warning: Contains descriptions of sexual assault, violence against minors, stalking, home invasions and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

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Stay spooky. 🎃