Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, using his good looks and charm to lure potential victims, especially the children with a simple question. I want to see it pretty picture again." — Henry Zebrowski
"This is one of those subterranean serial killers because you know how many times we've talked about in the past about how, oh, we in our minds, a lot of times serial killers are fairly obvious coming towards you." — Marcus Parks
"Rodney Alcala does not have any of those signals." — Henry Zebrowski
This episode delves into the early life and initial criminal activities of Rodney Alcala, the serial killer infamously known as the "Dating Game Killer." The narrative highlights Alcala's ability to present a facade of normalcy, making him a subterranean predator who lacked the overt signals typically associated with serial murderers. His modus operandi involved using his charm and photography as a lure, a tactic distinct from more overt violent approaches. The podcast details his early life, including his father's abandonment and his time in the army, where he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. A pivotal early crime described is the attempted murder of Tali Shapiro in 1968, showcasing his brutal methods and his ability to escape. The episode also touches upon his time in New York, his attendance at NYU, and his period as a counselor at a girls' camp, all while he continued to engage in violent acts, including the murder of TWA flight attendant Cornelia Crowley in 1971.
The discussion further explores Alcala's pattern of evading capture. Despite being arrested and released multiple times, and even registering as a sex offender, his ability to manipulate parole officers and exploit legal loopholes allowed him to continue his predatory behavior. The episode recounts instances such as kidnapping a 13-year-old girl in Huntington Beach, leading to his re-imprisonment, and the murder of Pamela Lamson in Marin County. Alcala's ability to appear on national television as a contestant on "The Dating Game" in 1978, even while actively engaged in murder, underscores his extreme cunning and the failures within the investigative and media landscapes. The narrative emphasizes that Alcala's crimes were often meticulously planned and brutal, involving elaborate posing of victims, and that his true victim count may far exceed the provable cases.
The episode concludes by touching on Alcala's subsequent murders, including those of Ellen Hoover, Christine Thornton, Jill Barkham, Georgia Whisted, and Zafar Shah, illustrating the geographical spread and escalating brutality of his crimes. His ability to exploit legal technicalities, such as his arrest and subsequent release for marijuana possession while being a suspect in murder investigations, highlights systemic issues that enabled his continued violence. The hosts express shock at the depth of his depravity and the chilling effectiveness of his methods, setting the stage for a continuation of his story in the next episode.