Golden State Killer Caught Thanks to True Crime Writer

From 1976 to 1986, a man terrorized women and families in Southern California. Known as the “Golden State Killer,” or “East Area Rapist,” the suspect murdered 12 people, raped dozens of women, and held couples hostage in their own homes. He initially targeted women who were home alone at night, but as time went on, he got bold and victimized couples as well. He was known to stalk his prey for weeks ahead of time, lurking outside in the bushes and sometimes even letting himself into their homes prior to the attack to prepare the scene by unloading guns and unlocking windows.

After decades of dead ends, police have finally captured the Golden State Killer, and it was in large part thanks to the work done by late true crime writer Michelle McNamara.

McNamara dedicated her life to the case of the Golden State Killer — a name that she herself coined. She wrote extensively about it in her book, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, and it was that very work that helped solve the mystery. McNamara died in her sleep almost exactly two years to the day prior to the capture of the murderer who had become her life’s obsession.

Breaking News: A suspect was arrested in the case of the Golden State Killer, the serial murderer and rapist who terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s https://t.co/d2CAutKjj2

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 25, 2018

Fans of McNamara’s work took to Twitter to celebrate the good news:

A huge day for fans of #MichelleMcNamara as it appears that the #GoldenStateKiller aka #EastAreaRapist has been caught! This would not have been possible without her dedication and sleuthing! <3

— Midnight Book Girl (@Midnghtbookgirl) April 25, 2018

I literally put #IllBeGoneInTheDark on my Amazon wish list last night. Waking up to hear they may have caught Golden State Killer is bananas. What a fitting tribute to #MichelleMcNamara’s life and work. https://t.co/5ASgN24cJJ

— Jody Wright (@JodyInArlington) April 25, 2018

It was the general consensus that McNamara’s dedication to the case is what made the difference in the end:

The officer speaking at the #GoldenStateKiller press conference just sort of brushed off the contributions of Michelle McNamara's book, but I want to reiterate: the neighborhoods here are grateful, and believe she made a difference.

A comment from my local NextDoor: pic.twitter.com/QUV5KYa9AL

— Celeste P. (@Celeste_pewter) April 25, 2018

NO? I’ll Be Gone In The Dark didn’t help? GTFOn #GoldenStateKiller @pattonoswalt YES, it did!

— Ten To One (@RealTenToOne) April 25, 2018

It did, but #MichelleMcNamaradidn’t care about getting any shine on herself. She cared about the #GoldenStateKiller being behind bars and the victims getting some relief. She was Marge Gunderson in FARGO, not Chilton in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. https://t.co/krMOWaWh9m

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 25, 2018

If Michelle McNamara had not kept this case in the news, we would not be here today. Thank you, Michelle. #GoldenStateKiller

— Nicole (@Garbo99) April 25, 2018

Michelle McNamara might be known to some as the late wife of comedian Patton Oswalt:

First day of filming on the documentary was yesterday’s book event in Naperville. All of @TrueCrimeDiary’s family was there. Ended with me saying, “He’s running out of time.”
And now all of this. Surreal. #IllBeGoneInTheDark #GoldenStateKiller https://t.co/qPXz7a7hRy

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 25, 2018