Overview
Rodney Alcala was a notorious American serial killer, known as "The Dating Game Killer," who murdered and assaulted multiple women and girls in the 1970s. His crimes, arrest, and media portrayal have continued to draw public attention, culminating in various documentaries and a recent Netflix film.
Early Life and Background
- Born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala-Buquor in San Antonio, Texas, on August 23, 1943.
- Moved to Mexico as a child; later relocated to Los Angeles after his father abandoned the family.
- Joined the army at 17, discharged in 1964 after a mental health breakdown and diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.
- Earned a fine arts degree from UCLA in 1968; later attended NYU under the alias John Berger.
Criminal Activity and Arrests
- First known attack in 1968 on 8-year-old Tali Shapiro, who survived; Alcala fled to the East Coast.
- Arrested in 1971 in New Hampshire after being recognized from the FBI's Most Wanted list.
- Pleaded guilty to child molestation, served 34 months, and was later rearrested for parole violations.
- Worked as a typesetter at The Los Angeles Times despite being a registered sex offender.
Appearance on "The Dating Game"
- Appeared as Bachelor No. 1 in September 1978 while already a convicted sex offender.
- Chosen by contestant Cheryl Bradshaw, who declined to go out with him after meeting due to his unsettling demeanor.
- His appearance inspired the nickname "The Dating Game Killer" and a 2024 Netflix film.
Murders and Modus Operandi
- Murdered at least eight women and girls between 1971 and 1979 across several states, though authorities suspect he killed many more.
- Lured victims by posing as a photographer; often kept trophies such as jewelry.
- Autopsies revealed he sometimes strangled and revived victims before killing them.
- Left some corpses posed after death.
Arrest, Convictions, and Sentencing
- Arrested in July 1979 after the abduction and murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe.
- Initial conviction in 1980 was overturned; retrials followed in 1986 and 2010 due to legal technicalities.
- In 2010, convicted of five murders and sentenced to death; later confessed to two more New York murders in 2012.
- DNA evidence linked him to additional cases, though not all led to charges due to limitations.
Survivors and Public Awareness
- Some victims, including Tali Shapiro and Monique Hoyt, survived and later testified against Alcala.
- Authorities released his photographs to the public in hopes of identifying further victims or survivors.
Death
- Died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, while hospitalized in California at age 77.
- California’s death penalty moratorium spared him from execution prior to his death.
Media Portrayals and Documentaries
- His crimes featured in several documentaries, including CBS's "48 Hours" and the docuseries "Dating Death."
- Portrayed by actors in "The Dating Game Killer" (2017) and "Woman of the Hour" (2024), directed by Anna Kendrick.
Key Dates / Deadlines
- August 23, 1943: Rodney Alcala born.
- 1968: First known assault.
- September 1978: Appeared on "The Dating Game."
- July 24, 1979: Arrested for Robin Samsoe’s murder.
- 2010: Final conviction and death sentence.
- July 24, 2021: Died in custody.