Harald Gullberg, a 66-year-old Swedish man, was found deceased in Lincoln Park, San Francisco, on June 4, 1975. His death is believed to be linked to an unidentified serial killer known as "The Doodler," who was active between 1974 and 1975. The Doodler was known for sketching his victims before fatally stabbing them, primarily targeting gay men in bars and nightclubs.
Gullberg was the last known victim of this elusive murderer.
The investigation into Gullberg's death, along with the other victims, has remained open for decades. Authorities identified a strong suspect in January 1976, but no charges were ever filed. The suspect, described as a Black man between 19 and 25 years old, was believed to have met his victims in social settings before attacking them. Despite multiple surviving victims providing descriptions, the case remains unsolved.
In recent years, law enforcement has renewed efforts to solve the case, increasing the reward for information leading to an arrest. The Doodler is suspected of killing between six and sixteen individuals, though the exact number remains uncertain. Gullberg's murder, along with others, has been overshadowed by other high-profile cases of the time, such as the Zodiac Killer and the Patty Hearst kidnapping. The lack of media attention and societal attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community at the time contributed to the case's obscurity.
Despite the passage of time, investigators continue to seek justice for Gullberg and the other victims. The case remains one of San Francisco's most notorious unsolved serial killings, with authorities hoping that new forensic techniques or witness testimonies may eventually lead to an arrest.
