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Description
See any errors? Let us know!Brandon Tholmer: The West Side Rapist
Early Life and Background
Brandon Tholmer was born in 1949 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Details about his early life remain scarce, but it is known that he moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. There, he took on various low-skilled jobs and attempted to pursue a career in music as a drummer for a band called "The Hostages." Tholmer also worked at a shoe factory in Monterey Park and was in a relationship at the time of his arrest. His favorite song was "Killer on the Loose" by the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy.Criminal History
In 1975, Tholmer was arrested for assaulting and raping a 79-year-old woman. He pleaded guilty to the crime, attributing his actions to being under the influence of LSD. Subsequently, he was declared a mentally disordered sex offender and was committed to Patton State Hospital for treatment. Tholmer was released in October 1979 and continued outpatient treatment at a rehabilitation center in Silver Lake.The West Side Rapist Murders
Between January 1981 and October 1983, a series of brutal murders targeting elderly women occurred in Los Angeles' West Side, leading to the moniker "The West Side Rapist." Tholmer was linked to at least 12 of these murders, though authorities suspected his involvement in up to 34 cases. The victims were often found in their homes, having been raped, beaten, and in some instances, strangled or stabbed. ...Read MoreVictims
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Confirmed Victims: (5)
Rose Lederman Age: (80), Date of Death: 1981-08 ...View 4 additional victims
Links to Additional Sources (10)
See any mistakes? Let us know!Killer's Details
Brandon
Tholmer
1949 (age 74–75) New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Male
Black
The West Side Rapist
Murder
Life imprisonment
12-34
1981 - 1983
California
November 7, 1983
California Medical Facility
07/11/2025










