Authorities believe they have finally arrested the infamous Golden State Killer — and no one is happier than Patton Oswalt.
Why? Because the more than 40-year-old case was thoroughly investigated by the comedian’s late wife Michelle McNamara, who also authored a true-crime book on the subject titled I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.
Oswalt shared the news on Wednesday, hours after police arrested ex-cop Joseph James DeAngelo on capital murder and other counts. Authorities identified the suspect as the infamous murderer — AKA the “East Area Rapist” and “the Original Night Stalker” — believed to have committed 12 killings and 48 rapes across California from 1976 to 1986.
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According to the Sacramento Bee, the 72-year-old had been living in the Sacramento area and was identified after a “renewed push” for the investigation by the sheriff’s department and district attorney. The suspect was arrested after police matched discarded DNA evidence from his Sacramento area home with genetic evidence from the crimes.
Oswalt, who helped researcher Paul Haynes and co-writer Billy Jensen finish McNamara’s book, took to social media to document “One of the more surreal days” of his life, noting that all his wife ever wanted was to see the Golden State Killer behind bars.
He shared on Twitter and Instagram:
If they├óΓé¼Γäóve really caught the #GoldenStateKiller I hope I get to visit him. Not to gloat or gawk ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ to ask him the questions that @TrueCrimeDiary wanted answered in her “Letter To An Old Man” at the end of #IllBeGoneInTheDark. pic.twitter.com/32EHSzBct5
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 25, 2018
#GoldenStateKiller #IllBeGoneInTheDark #MichelleMcNamara One of the more surreal days of my life. We’ll be watching the press conference at 3pm EST. Looks like they got him. #stepintothelightA post shared by Patton Oswalt (@balvenieboy) on Apr 25, 2018 at 6:15am PDT
It did, but #MichelleMcNamaradidn’t care about getting any shine on herself. She cared about the #GoldenStateKiller being behind bars and the victims getting some relief. She was Marge Gunderson in FARGO, not Chilton in SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. https://t.co/krMOWaWh9m
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 25, 2018
Pretty much exactly as #MichelleMcNamara described it in her “Letter To An Old Man” at the end of #IllBeGoneInTheDark. Footsteps, door knock. #GoldenStateKiller https://t.co/S1TlTpBEbH
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 25, 2018
According to People, the Golden State Killer would wear a ski mask and pry open windows and doors of homes with single women or couples inside. Once indoors, he would sneak into the bedroom and shine a bright light into the victims’ faces.
Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert explained the killer’s method to the publication in 2016:
“He wore a mask and he was very good at what he did. He would pick out more affluent communities. There were claims he would target homes that were up for sale. Oftentimes it was a husband and wife at home. He would come prepared. He would have shoelaces and a mask,” Schubert told People in 2016. “He would bring the shoelaces with him and then he would tie up the husband and put him on his stomach, and put teacups or plates on his back and take the woman off and rape her. He did that with the man because he could then hear the guy if he moved. It was very distinctive.”
The suspect is being held without bail.
[Image via FBI/WENN.]
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