Serial Killer Herbert Mullin: Murder, Madness, and the Earthquake Delusion

Herbert William Mullin wasn’t just a serial killer — he believed he was a savior. Driven by delusions and terrifying voices in his head, Mullin murdered 13 people across California in the early 1970s. His twisted justification? He thought human sacrifices were needed to prevent catastrophic earthquakes from destroying the state.

In this disturbing episode, we explore how mental illness, paranoia, and unchecked violence collided in Mullin’s mind — turning him into one of California’s most chilling and unpredictable serial killers. From quiet forests to public streets, no place was safe during his rampage. We also examine the failures in the system that let him slip through the cracks before claiming so many lives. Content Warning: 

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and references to mental illness and psychosis. Listener discretion is strongly advised.

Herbert Mullin, serial killer, earthquake delusion, California murders, serial killing savior, mental illness and crime, paranoid schizophrenia, 1970s serial killers, Santa Cruz killer, true crime podcast, forest murders, voices in his head, mass murder, psychotic killer, disturbing true crime, unsolved murders, law enforcement failure, serial killer psychology, Herbert Mullin case, shocking real crimes

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-podcast-2025--6463449/support.