Overview
The report details the criminal activities and eventual conviction of serial killer Rodney Alcala, connecting him to multiple murders across several decades and states, and highlighting investigative breakthroughs, legal complications, and the enduring impact on victims’ families.
Early Crimes and Escapes
- In 1968, Alcala attacked 8-year-old Tali Shapiro in Los Angeles; a police officer’s quick response saved her life.
- Alcala escaped arrest by fleeing out the back door and avoided capture due to limited forensic tools at the time.
- Despite a suspicious past in the Army and an NYU film school stint under the alias John Berger, Alcala evaded suspicion after fleeing to New York.
- In 1971, Cornelia Crilley was murdered in New York; lack of evidence led the case to go cold for decades.
Arrest and Repeat Offenses
- Identified on the FBI Most Wanted list, Alcala was arrested after being recognized at a girls’ drama camp.
- With the main witness (Tali Shapiro) unavailable, he pled to a lesser charge and was released after less than three years.
- Alcala continued to work and socialize openly, including appearing on "The Dating Game," despite being a registered sex offender.
Expansion of Crimes and Further Investigation
- In 1977, Alcala returned to New York and murdered Ellen Hover, whose disappearance remained unsolved for years.
- He traveled across the country, targeting young women, including Christine Ruth Thornton, whose fate only came to light decades later.
Robin Samsoe’s Case and Forensic Advances
- In 1979, Alcala kidnapped and murdered 12-year-old Robin Samsoe in California; a composite sketch and his parole officer's tip led to his arrest.
- Discovery of a storage locker with photos and evidence, including jewelry linked to Samsoe, supported the prosecution.
- Alcala’s initial conviction was overturned due to legal errors, resulting in multiple retrials and ongoing trauma for the victims’ families.
Linking to Multiple Murders
- By 2010, advances in fingerprint and DNA analysis tied Alcala to additional murders: Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, and Jill Parenteau.
- New York prosecutors also linked him to Cornelia Crilley and Ellen Hover’s murders using fingerprints and witness testimony.
- All five murders in California were tried together, with Alcala representing himself.
Closure for Families and Ongoing Questions
- Alcala was convicted and sentenced to death in California, later pleading guilty in New York and receiving two concurrent 25-to-life sentences.
- The publication of Alcala’s photographs by media helped identify more victims, including Christine Thornton.
- Despite Alcala's imprisonment and eventual death in 2021, authorities and families suspect many more unidentified victims.
Decisions
- File first-degree murder charge for Christine Thornton’s case in Wyoming.
- No extradition of Alcala from California to Wyoming for trial.
- Try all five California murder cases together.
- Prosecution in New York accepted Alcala’s guilty plea for two murders.
Action Items
- TBD – Authorities: Continue reviewing Alcala’s photographs and reopen cold cases to identify other potential victims.
- TBD – Public/Victims’ Families: Encourage public examination of Alcala's released photos for potential identification of missing persons.
- TBD – Law Enforcement: Use new forensic methods to cross-check DNA and evidence from unsolved cases linked to Alcala’s travels.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- How many additional victims may remain unidentified from Alcala's cross-country travels?
- Can advances in forensic technology assist with solving further cold cases linked to Alcala?