- Not to be confused with the "Dating Show Murderer", Kabelo Rodney Maake.
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“ The best time is at night, nighttime. [Morning and afternoon] are okay, but nighttime is when it really gets good. Then you are really ready. „
Biography
Early life
Rodney James Alcala was born on August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas. Raised in a troubled household, he experienced a difficult childhood marked by his father's abandonment and his mother's move to Los Angeles. Alcala's troubled upbringing would foreshadow a dark and criminal future.
Criminal Beginnings
Alcala's criminal history began to unfold in the late 1960s. His first known crime was the sexual assault and beating of an eight-year-old girl in 1968, for which he was arrested but later paroled after serving only 34 months.[Additional information needed]
The Dating Game Appearance
In the midst of his criminal activities, Alcala appeared on the television show "The Dating Game" in 1978.[3] Despite a winning performance, his charm hid a sinister reality—he was already a convicted rapist and registered sex offender.
Murders and Modus Operandi
Between 1977 and 1979, Alcala embarked on a killing spree, targeting young women in California. His modus operandi involved luring victims with his charisma and then brutally assaulting and strangling them. The exact number of his victims remains unknown, but estimates range from 8 to 130.
Capture and Imprisonment
Alcala's crimes finally caught up with him in 1979 when he was arrested for the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. In 1980, he was convicted and sentenced to death. However, his sentence was overturned twice on appeal.
Legal Maneuvering
During his time in prison, Alcala's legal battles continued. He represented himself in court, cross-examining his victims and displaying a chilling lack of remorse. Despite his heinous crimes, Alcala's charisma and intelligence made him a formidable adversary in the courtroom.
DNA Evidence and Further Convictions
In 2010, new DNA evidence linked Alcala to additional murders, leading to a new trial. He was subsequently convicted of five additional murders, bringing the total to seven. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to two more murders.
Death
Rodney Alcala spent years on death row at California's San Quentin State Prison. He died on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77.
Victims
Confirmed victims
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Location | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelia Crilley | 23 | June 12, 1971 | New York City, New York | Strangulation |
| Ellen Hover | 23 | July 15, 1977 | New York City, New York | |
| Jill Barcomb | 18 | November 9, 1977 | Los Angeles, California | Bludgeoned[note 1] |
| Georgia Wixted | 27 | December 15, 1977[note 2] | Malibu, California | Bludgeoned |
| Charlotte Lamb | 31 | June 24, 1978 | El Segundo, California | Strangulation |
| Jill Parenteau | 21 | June 14, 1979 | Burbank, California | Strangulation |
| Robin Samsoe | 12 | June 20, 1979 | Huntington Beach, California | Stabbing |
Survivors
| Name | Age | Date of Attack | Location | Method of Attack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Rowan | 16 | 1968[when?] | [where?] | |
| Tali Shapiro | 8 | September 25, 1968 | Los Angeles, California | Strangulation |
| "J. Julie"[note 3] | 13 | 1974 | Los Angeles, California | |
| "Monique H."[note 3] | 13 | February, 1979 | Riverside County, California | Beating |
Suspected victims
Alcala is suspected of as many as a total of 130 murders based on photos found in his possession.
| Name | Age | Date of Death | Location | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Greenman | 19 | September 14, 1976 | Waterville, Washington | |
| Antionette "Tony" Witaker | 13 | July 9, 1977 | Seattle, Washington | Stabbing |
| Joyce Gaunt | 17 | February 16, 1978 | Seattle, Washington | Strangulation |
| Christine Thornton[note 4] | 28 | 1977[note 5] | Sweetwater County, Wyoming | Unknown cause |
| Pam Lambson | 19 | October 8, 1977 | San Francisco, California |
Timeline
Bibliography
Literature
- Rowan, Morgan (2023). Stolen From Sunset: A true story of surviving the Dating Game Killer, Independently published. ISBN 979-8375435022
- Keller, Robert American Monsters: 12 Horrific Serial Killers Volume 5
Articles
- "Rodney Alcala". Biography (May 28, 2020).
- Erin Kelly (July 26, 2021). The Horrifying Story Of Rodney Alcala, The Serial Killer Who Won ‘The Dating Game’ During His Murder Spree. All That's Interesting.
- Charles Montaldo (July 30, 2021). "Profile of Serial Killer Rodney Alcala". ThoughtCo.
Documentaries
Television
- The Dating Game (September 13, 1978) on IMDb
- World's Most Evil Killers S2E6: Rodney Alcala (May 2018) on IMDb
- The Mark of a Killer S1E5: Momentos of Murder (February 24, 2019) on IMDb
- City of Angels, City of Death (2021 — ) on IMDb
- Dating Death (2022 — 2022) on IMDb
- The Game Show Show S1E4: Sex, Love or Money? (May 30, 2023) on IMDb
- People Magazine Investigates: Surviving A Serial Killer S1E1: Surviving the Dating Game Killer (May 5, 2024[4] on IMDb
YouTube Documentaries
- The Chilling Dating Game Show Serial Killer, Real Crime on YouTube
- Rodney Alcala: The Killing Game (Full Episode), 48 Hours on YouTube
- 1 Serial Killer From Every State, Pixels After Dark on YouTube
Podcasts
In popular culture
Film adaptations
- The Dating Game Killer (2017) on IMDb
- Woman of the Hour (2023) on IMDb
Related Articles
See also
- Serial killers who appeared on Television Shows:
- John Cooper, Welsh serial killer who appeared as a game-show contestant.
- Stephen Port, British serial killer who appeared in a TV show.
- Ted Bundy also represented himself during his trial.
Links
- Rodney Alcala at Wikipedia
- Rodney Alcala on IMDb
- Rodney James “Rod” Alcala at Find a Grave
- Rodney Alcala victims: a Virtual Cemetery at Find a Grave
- Rodney Alcala. Radford University.
- Rodney Alcala. Keller On The Loose.
- SERIAL KILLERS Walk Among Us: ft. Rex Heuermann, The Behavior Panel on YouTube
Notes
References
- ↑ Condemned Inmate Rodney Alcala Dies of Natural Causes. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (July 24, 2021). Archived from the original on January 30, 2022.
- ↑ Condemned Inmates Who Have Died Since 1978. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022.
- ↑ The Dating Game (September 13, 1978) on IMDb
- ↑ Christine Pelisek (April 4, 2024). Survivors Detail Courageous, Shocking Escapes From Serial Killers in People Magazine Investigates' New Series. People Magazine.