For more than 40 years, Joseph DeAngelo terrorized California — committing dozens of home invasions, sexual assaults, and murders while evading every attempt to stop him.

Known to the public as The Golden State Killer, DeAngelo operated across multiple jurisdictions, constantly evolving his methods. He stalked neighborhoods, studied victims, taunted law enforcement, and vanished without leaving evidence strong enough to identify him. Investigators suspected he was highly trained — possibly law enforcement or military — but the case went cold for decades.

On this episode of Unlawful Acts, we break down:

Who Joseph DeAngelo really was

The timeline of crimes spanning Northern and Southern California

How his behavior escalated from burglary to rape to murder

The psychological profile behind his need for control and fear

Why law enforcement failed to catch him for so long

How genetic genealogy finally exposed the man hiding in plain sight

This case reshaped criminal investigations forever and proved that time does not protect predators.

Justice didn’t come quickly — but it came.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices