Explore Interactive Map
See all connections visually
What is East Area Rapist attacks (1976–1979)?
The East Area Rapist attacks were a series of home-invasion sexual assaults in Northern California, beginning June 18, 1976 in Rancho Cordova and moving to the East Bay in late 1978 before ending in July 1979. DNA linked the series to the Southern California Original Night Stalker murders in 2001, and Joseph DeAngelo was arrested for the crimes in April 2018. Estimates of the number of assaults vary, with sources citing 40 to more than 50.
Key dates
- 1976-06-18 — The first attack attributed to the East Area Rapist took place in Rancho Cordova, a Sacramento suburb. ABC7 News (KGO)
- 1978 — The attacks spread to the Bay Area, beginning with an assault in Concord, and Contra Costa County formed a task force. ABC7 News (KGO)
- 1978-02-02 — Brian and Katie Maggiore were shot and killed while walking their dog in Rancho Cordova, killings DeAngelo later pleaded guilty to. ABC7 News (KGO)
- 1979-07 — The last East Area Rapist attack in the Bay Area occurred. ABC7 News (KGO)
- 2001 — DNA evidence linked the Northern California East Area Rapist crimes to the Southern California Original Night Stalker crimes. ABC7 News (KGO)
- 2018-04-24 — Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested at his Citrus Heights home. ABC7 News (KGO)
Last reviewed 2026-10-18. Statements are attributed to the linked sources; inclusion on this page does not imply wrongdoing.
Strongest Evidence
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
Sacramento Sheriff's Department was the primary agency investigating the EAR attacks from 1976 to 1979.
Joseph James DeAngelo
DeAngelo committed at least 50 sexual assaults across the Sacramento area from 1976 to 1979.
DNA Links EAR to ONS (2001)
DNA analysis linked the EAR Sacramento rapes to the ONS Southern California murders.
Richard Shelby
Shelby was a lead detective on the original EAR investigation in Sacramento County.
Larry Crompton
Crompton investigated the EAR cases in Contra Costa County and documented the crimes in "Sudden Terror."
Connections (5)
Sacramento Sheriff's Department was the primary agency investigating the EAR attacks from 1976 to 1979.
DeAngelo committed at least 50 sexual assaults across the Sacramento area from 1976 to 1979.
DNA analysis linked the EAR Sacramento rapes to the ONS Southern California murders.
Shelby was a lead detective on the original EAR investigation in Sacramento County.
Crompton investigated the EAR cases in Contra Costa County and documented the crimes in "Sudden Terror."
Frequently asked questions
Who was the East Area Rapist?+
The East Area Rapist was Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer who was arrested in April 2018. In 2020 he pleaded guilty to 13 murders and 13 kidnapping counts and admitted dozens of uncharged rapes, including East Area Rapist attacks that the statute of limitations barred from prosecution. ABC30 Fresno
When and where did the East Area Rapist attacks happen?+
The attacks began on June 18, 1976 in Rancho Cordova and continued in the Sacramento area, then spread to the East Bay, including Concord, Danville and Walnut Creek, in late 1978. The last Bay Area attack was in July 1979. ABC7 News (KGO)
How were the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker connected?+
In 2001, DNA testing linked the Northern California East Area Rapist crimes to the Southern California Original Night Stalker crimes, showing that one offender was responsible. The combined case later became known as the Golden State Killer case. ABC7 News (KGO)
Explore More Like This
Original Night Stalker Murders (1979-1986)
Same category
Visalia Ransacker Spree (1974-1975)
Same category
Exeter Police Department
1 mutual connection
DeAngelo Pleads Guilty & Sentenced (2020)
1 mutual connection
Paul Holes
1 mutual connection
Southern California Crime Scenes
1 mutual connection