Cul-de-Sac Killer

Closing argument of prosecutor David Tellman to the Kovacich jury--2009.

More than 15 years before he was identified, the press dubbed DeAngelo "The cul-de-sac killer," because of the specific suburban neighbors where he committed his attacks and homicides. Investigator Pool had already used DNA evidence testing to determine that the Original Night Stalker and East Area Rapist were the same offender. Pool also gave multiple interviews to the Visalia Times-Delta stating his belief that the Visalia Ransaker was the same offender, and he focused on homes on cul-de-sacs that bordered open areas and canals:

•Not only was the "Cul-de-Sac Killer" easily discoverable by Placer County DA's investigators, but the similar MO Visalia Ransacker kidnapping/homicide was also committed by an offender who favored cul-de-sacs:

VISALIA RANSACKER SITES

IRVINE HOMICIDE

GOLETA HOMICIDES

The Placer County DA also should have known about the crimes of the East Area Rapist, who struck right on Placer's border with Sacramento County, and included several kidnappings eerily similar to Janet's. The EAR also sought out homes on cul-de-sacs:

EAST AREA RAPIST SITES

Sacramento Sheriffs Department profile of the East Area Rapist:  “Preferably there should be an open field, school grounds, levee, or concrete-lined ditch at rear of the development. His getaway through such areas is attended by only negligible chances of being spotted in the early hours of the morning.” -  May 2, 1977

EAST AREA RAPIST AND HOMICIDE NEIGHBORHOODS

“ ... the sexual terrorist dragged his female victims from their homes to the drainage ditches behind them, ” -SSD Spokesman Bill Miller. Sacramento Bee, 6/15/1981.

“It was from one–a long, weed lined ditch that winds behind the high fences of back yards, across fields, through orchards and into the American River –that the rapist emerged five years ago Thursday, June 18, 1976, to commit his first terrifying attack.” - Sacramento Bee, June 15, 1981

Excerpt of search warrant issued against Joseph James DeAngelo, Jr. April 24, 2018 

“He emerged from a drainage ditch in Rancho Cordova. And within a year, he was one of the most feared men in Sacramento County.” Sac Bee, June 15, 1981

“In the end, though, stumped detectives know little more about the East Area Rapist than they did when he first emerged from the drainage ditch in Rancho Cordova.”- Sacramento Bee, June 15, 1981