SERIAL KILLER: The Hillside Strangler from Los Angeles
Crime Junkie
Deep Dive
Why did the Hillside Strangler target women?
The motive was primarily a general hatred of women, expressed through terrible violence.
How did the Hillside Strangler lure their victims?
They often posed as undercover police officers, using fake badges to get women to go with them willingly.
What was the turning point in the investigation of the Hillside Strangler case?
The arrest of Kenneth Bianchi in Bellingham, Washington, led to the linking of his crimes to the Hillside Strangler case in California.
What was the relationship between Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono?
They were cousins who collaborated in a series of crimes, including the murders attributed to the Hillside Strangler.
How did Kenneth Bianchi attempt to evade conviction?
He tried to establish a mental illness defense, claiming to have dissociative identity disorder and inventing a separate persona named Steve Walker.
What was the outcome of the trials for Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono?
Kenneth Bianchi pleaded guilty and received a life sentence with the possibility of parole, while Angelo Buono was convicted and received a life sentence without parole.
What unusual incident occurred involving Kenneth Bianchi while in prison?
He married a woman named Veronica Compton, who later attempted to stage a murder to make it seem like the Hillside Strangler was still at large.
Why is the Hillside Strangler case significant in criminal history?
It remains one of the most well-known criminal cases in California history, despite being overshadowed by other serial killer cases that followed.
- The Hillside Strangler initially targeted sex workers in Los Angeles.
- The first victim, Yolanda Washington, was found strangled near a freeway on October 18, 1977.
- The killer meticulously cleaned the victims' bodies, suggesting premeditation.
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