The Original Night Stalker, also known as the East Area Rapist (EAR) and the Golden State Killer, terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s with a series of rapes, burglaries, and murders. The perpetrator's identity remained elusive for decades until advancements in DNA technology and dedicated law enforcement efforts led to the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo in 2018. DeAngelo, a former police officer, was identified as the notorious criminal through DNA evidence, connecting him to the heinous crimes committed decades earlier. The revelation of the Original Night Stalker's identity marked a significant breakthrough in one of the most infamous unsolved crime sprees in American history. DeAngelo pleaded guilty to multiple charges, bringing closure to the victims and a sense of justice after years of fear and uncertainty.
