SACRAMENTO – After over 40 years a suspect is now in custody for the serial killing over 12 people and rape of 51 women. According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department the Golden State Killer and East Area Rapist has been captured and he turns out to be a former police officer from two departments within the state.
On Tuesday evening at exactly 5:00 P.M. detectives from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department arrested 72-Year-old Joseph James DeAngelo of Citrus Heights, California. DeAngelo was linked by DNA as a positive match for the DNA profile of the East Area Rapist, Original Night Stalker, and Golden State Killer, along with a method of operation link to the double murder of Brian and Katie Maggiore and the Visalia Ransacker.
During a press conference held Wednesday, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert along with many other Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police, Prosecutors, and Investigators presented several new facts of this case. Sheriff Jones said, “We expect more details will emerge as time passes and we will present the information as we are able to do so.”
“Even though some of these cases are over forty years old, this is still a very active investigation. Investigators have worked diligently throughout the last 24 hours meticulously processing evidence, conducting interviews, and gathering new information regarding this investigation. Investigators from throughout California are here, in Sacramento, continuing to work together to make sure justice is served for the victims and family’s connected to these cases from their respective jurisdictions”, Jones added.
"Joseph James DeAngelo has been called a lot of things. He's been called the East Area Rapist. He's been called the Visalia Ransacker, the Original Nightstalker and the Golden State Killer. Today, it's our pleasure to call him defendant," said Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas.
DeAngelo was an officer in two different police departments during the 1970’s, Exeter in Tulare County and Auburn near Sacramento. At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar confirmed that DeAngelo worked with the Exeter police department from 1973-1976 before leaving for Auburn. The Visalia Police Department believes DeAngelo was responsible for the Visalia Ransacker crime spree from 1974 to 1975 that is linked to the Golden State Killer cases.
Auburn Police issued a statement after Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert’s announcement of the arrest Wednesday in Sacramento. It said that his employment in Auburn was terminated after the three years. News accounts of the time said the firing came after a Sacramento County shoplifting conviction in 1979. The suspected was caught stealing hammers and dog repellant.
The Department’s Violent Crimes Unit continues to investigate the Visalia Ransacker cases. Visalia Police Department Detectives have established a public hotline and are asking anyone who knew or associated with Joseph James DeAngelo, while in Tulare County in the 1970s, to call (559) 713-4132.
