SACRAMENTO, Ca. -- The "East Area Rapist," "Original Night Stalker," "Diamond Knot Killer," and the "Golden State Killer" are all monikers the for same man. He is responsible for 12 murders, approximately 45 rapes, and over 120 home burglaries according to the FBI.
It has been 40 years since his first attack and the FBI is taking this case to social media with vigor.
A digital media campaign by the FBI will bring suspect drawings of the man, found on this website, to digital billboards throughout the country, to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. There will even be audio broadcasts via podcasts and radio PSAs.
Even though these crimes were committed in California, billboards will run locally on the First Coast.
FBI Public Affairs Specialist Amanda Videll with the FBI's Jacksonville Office said there isn't really a way to know when and where the billboards might run. The FBI releases the information for the billboard and it is on a volunteer basis that companies or people use their advertising space for the FBI's message.
There is no specific tie to North Florida, but officials believe that the man has left California and could be anywhere in the country.
His last crime was committed in 1986, after a crime spree lasting ten years in the greater Scaramento area. The man was linked to all cases with DNA and/or various victim details.
He is described as a white male, close to six feet tall, with blond or light brown hair and an athletic build. He may have an interest or training in military or law enforcement techniques, and he was proficient with firearms. He is believed to be 60-75 years old now.
Videll said that some 15 agencies in California were investigating these cases before the FBI took over approximately five years ago. The case has always been open, but the anniversary of the beginning of this man's spree is what has brought about this push to social media.
In recent memory, information about a cold case has never been disseminated through social media in the thorough way this one is.
The necessity of social media comes from the suspects background, or lack there of.
Though he has committed a long string of offenses, outside of these unsolved incidents, his DNA is not attached to a criminal in authorities' databases, said Videll. The people who may know him may not suspect him of ever committing any crimes.
Social media will help to bring important information of these cases to the public eye. It may also help other agencies who may possibly have unsolved crimes committed by the same man.
According to the FBI, the suspect committed home burglaries shortly before the the sexual assaults occurred. Some of the things he stole like jewelry, coins, and identification may lead them to him.
Law enforcement asks the public (especially those in California greater Sacramento area) to consider the following information when reviewing information about the case:
- Did they live in one of the areas of criminal activity and remember someone in the area who matches the physical description of the subject or may have been known to spend a considerable amount of time in the areas?
- Have they discovered a hidden collection of items among the belongings of a friend or family member—notably coins and jewelry—as described on the FBI webpage about the crimes?
Anyone with information about the subject may call 1-800-255-5324 or to the FBI's online tip line found here. There is a $50,000 reward issued by the FBI for information leading to the rest and conviction of this man.
