True crime writer, coined "Golden State Killer" name
Michelle McNamara was a true crime writer and journalist who became obsessed with the East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker case. In a 2013 Los Angeles Magazine article, she coined the name "Golden State Killer," which became the widely adopted moniker for the unknown offender. McNamara spent years investigating the case, building a massive research database and collaborating with law enforcement. She died unexpectedly in her sleep on April 21, 2016, at age 46. Her posthumous book "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" — completed by Paul Haynes and Billy Jensen — became a bestseller and HBO documentary, significantly renewing public interest in the case.
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Background
Introduction to Michelle McNamara
Michelle McNamara was an American true crime writer and journalist whose work significantly shaped public awareness of the serial offender later identified as Joseph DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer. McNamara dedicated years to investigating the series of crimes attributed to the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker, a case that spanned decades and terrorized California communities. Her persistence in researching this elusive criminal, combined with her evocative writing, brought renewed attention to the unsolved case, ultimately contributing to its cultural and investigative momentum.
Role in the Golden State Killer Case
McNamara's most notable contribution to the Golden State Killer case was coining the term "Golden State Killer" in her 2013 article for Los Angeles Magazine titled "In the Footsteps of a Killer." This name unified the previously disparate monikers used for the offender—East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker—reflecting the geographic scope of his crimes across California. Her extensive research involved compiling a vast database of evidence, victim testimonies, and investigative leads, often collaborating with law enforcement and citizen sleuths. McNamara's work highlighted the urgency of solving the case, emphasizing the trauma inflicted on victims and their families over decades.
Tragically, McNamara passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on April 21, 2016, at the age of 46, before witnessing the resolution of the case. Her posthumous book, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark," published in 2018, was completed by researchers Paul Haynes and Billy Jensen. The book became a bestseller and was later adapted into an HBO documentary series, further amplifying public interest in the Golden State Killer. While McNamara did not live to see Joseph DeAngelo's arrest in 2018 through forensic genealogy, her efforts are widely credited with maintaining pressure on investigators and keeping the case in the public eye.
Personal Life and Key Relationships
Born on April 14, 1970, McNamara grew up with a keen interest in mysteries and crime stories, which later fueled her career as a true crime writer. She founded the blog TrueCrimeDiary, where she explored various cold cases, including the Golden State Killer. McNamara was married to comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, who became a prominent advocate for her work after her death. Oswalt played a key role in ensuring the completion and publication of "I'll Be Gone in the Dark," often speaking publicly about McNamara’s dedication to justice for the victims.
McNamara’s connections extended beyond her family to a network of investigators and writers who shared her passion for solving the case. Her collaboration with figures like Haynes and Jensen ensured that her meticulous research reached a wider audience, cementing her legacy as a pivotal figure in the narrative of the Golden State Killer investigation.
Strongest Evidence
Patton Oswalt
Oswalt was married to McNamara and became the public advocate for her work after her death.
McNamara Coins "Golden State Killer" (2013)
McNamara wrote the 2013 LA Magazine article that coined the name "Golden State Killer."
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark" Published (2018)
McNamara wrote the majority of the book before her death in 2016; it was completed posthumously.
Connections (3)
Oswalt was married to McNamara and became the public advocate for her work after her death.
McNamara wrote the 2013 LA Magazine article that coined the name "Golden State Killer."
McNamara wrote the majority of the book before her death in 2016; it was completed posthumously.
Mutual Connections
Entities that are connected to Michelle McNamara and also to each other.
Patton Oswalt & "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" Published (2018)
Both connected to Michelle McNamara and to each other