DNA Links EAR to ONS (2001) and East Area Rapist Attacks (1976-1979)
Connection Details
DNA analysis linked the EAR Sacramento rapes to the ONS Southern California murders.
About the Entities
DNA Links EAR to ONS (2001)
event
In 2001, the Orange County Crime Lab used newly developed STR DNA profiling to match biological evidence from the East Area Rapist Sacramento cases to crime scenes from the Original Night Stalker murders in Southern California. This was the first definitive proof that one individual was responsible for both the Northern and Southern California crime series — encompassing at least 50 rapes and 13 murders. The revelation transformed the investigation, consolidating cases across multiple jurisdictions and dramatically increasing the importance of catching the unknown offender.
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East Area Rapist Attacks (1976-1979)
event
Series of home-invasion sexual assaults in Sacramento and the East Bay from June 1976 to July 1979, later tied by DNA to the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo.
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Related Connections
DNA proved the ONS murders were committed by the same person as the EAR rapes.
DeAngelo committed at least 50 sexual assaults across the Sacramento area from 1976 to 1979.
Crompton investigated the EAR cases in Contra Costa County and documented the crimes in "Sudden Terror."
Shelby was a lead detective on the original EAR investigation in Sacramento County.
Sacramento Sheriff's Department was the primary agency investigating the EAR attacks from 1976 to 1979.
Key Facts
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