Rodney James Alcala

Serial Killer

Rodney James Alcala: The Dating Game Killer

Introduction to a Serial Predator

Rodney James Alcala was one of the most prolific and cunning serial killers in American history. Operating primarily throughout the 1970s, Alcala is confirmed to have murdered at least eight women and girls across California, New York, and Wyoming, though law enforcement authorities suspect his true victim count could be as high as 130. His intelligence, charismatic facade, and chilling audacity allowed him to evade permanent capture for over a decade, crossing state lines and assuming false identities to continue his violent spree.

Early Life and the First Attacks

Born in Texas in 1943, Alcala moved to California as a child. He briefly served in the military before being discharged following a nervous breakdown and a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Alcala's descent into violent crime became a matter of public record in 1968 when he lured eight-year-old Tali Shapiro into his Hollywood apartment. A passing motorist saw the girl being led away and called the police. Officers arrived to find the child severely beaten and sexually assaulted, but Alcala managed to escape out the back door. Fleeing the state, he moved to New York under the alias "John Berger" and enrolled in New York University's film school, where he studied under Roman Polanski. ...

Confirmed Victims: (7)

Cornelia Crilley Age: (23), Date of Death: 1971-06-12

Suspected Victims:

Cherry Greenman Age: (19), Date of Death: 1976-09-14

Antionette Tony Witaker Age: (13), Date of Death: 1977-07-09

Joyce Gaunt Age: (17), Date of Death: 1978-02-16

Christine Thornton Age: (28), Date of Death: 1977

Pam Lambson Age: (19), Date of Death: 1977-10-08

Survivors:

Morgan Rowan Age: (16), Date of Attack: 1966 (Exact date unknown) & 1968 (August, Exact Date unknown)

Tali Shapiro Age: (8), Date of Attack: 1968-09-25

J. Julie Age: (13), Date of Attack: 1974

Monique H. Age: (13), Date of Attack: February, 1979

Condemned Inmate Rodney Alcala Dies of Natural Causes - CDCR