#9 - Public Records (State, National, or International)

 Released Photos taken by 'The Dating Game' Serial Killer help Solve Murders Decades after they took Place

Growing up, I would always watch true-crime shows with my mom. I have seen countless episodes of "Dateline," "48 hours", and true-crime documentaries any streaming platform has to offer. Many people would think it is odd to find these shows or cases as captivating as some do; however, it isn't always the murders that make these shows interesting. A large number of audiences view these shows for the investigations. Many of these criminals will get away with what they have done for many years. Some of their victims may even go unnoticed or stay missing forever. When trying to think of public records, I remembered an episode of ABC's 20/20 I watched only a few weeks ago. Police released photos of potential victims taken by the infamous 'dating game' serial killer. 

Click here to watch a clip from "The Dating Game"

Rodney Alcala conducted his 'killing spree' in the mid-1970s. During this time, he put himself in the spotlight when he won a date on the hit primetime television show, "The Dating Game." It wasn't until decades later that he was convicted of being a prolific serial killer.  According to authorities, Alcala is connected to the murders of at least 8 women. He pleaded guilty to committing two murders in New York City and was convicted of the murder of a 12-year-old in Orange County, California. In 2003, investigators found that his DNA matched evidence surrounding four missing women in Los Angeles, California. He was found guilty of these murders in 2010 and sentenced to death. He was also charged for murder in Wyoming, but he was not extradited due to declining health. 

Alcala was found to have posed as a photographer to lure in women and young girls by approaching them on the street. During their investigation of Alcala, police found a 'trove' of photographs. It is not known how many photos there actually are. Many of these photographs contain images of unknown victims; however, some led investigators to solve murder cases. It wasn't until 2009 when police released hundreds of Alcala's pictures in hopes that family members or friends would come forward and identify these potential victims. 

Click here to view more of these Released Photographs

 

Because these photographs are now available to the public, these unidentified potential victims can receive justice decades after these crimes took place.

If you recognize anyone in these photographs, contact Sgt. Sam Shepherd with the Huntington Beach Police Department at (714) 536-5947.