Review of "I'll Be Gone In the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search For The Golden State Killer" by Michelle McNamara

Michelle McNamara was an armchair detective/true crime writer who spent almost a decade trying to unmask the rapist/murderer she dubbed the 'Golden State Killer.' McNamara died in 2016, before she could finish her manuscript about the slayer, but Michelle's husband - the actor/comedian Patton Oswalt - arranged for the book to be completed from his wife's copious notes and the magazine articles she'd published.


Patton Oswalt and Michelle McNamara

According to Wikipedia, California's Golden State Killer (GSK) committed at least 50 rapes, 12 murders, and innumerable burglaries from (at least) 1974 to 1986. This was a time before the widespread use of DNA evidence, so the GSK's crimes were, at first, attributed to an array of different perpetrators. There's evidence that the GSK was also the: Cordova Catburgler; Exeter Ransacker; Visalia Ransacker; East Area Rapist; Dollner Street Prowler; Diamond Knot Killer; and Original Night Stalker.

The seemingly unstoppable criminal was the subject of manhunts by many a police department, dozens of detectives, and - in subsequent years - countless true crime aficionados who pursued the criminal via the internet. These chairbound sleuths studied police files, looked at photos, drew maps, recreated the crimes, discussed their findings on message boards, etc. McNamara took this a step further by visiting crime scenes and speaking with cops and witnesses who were part of the original investigations.

The GSK's modus operandi involved prowling around upscale neighborhoods, peeping into windows, and stalking potential victims to learn about their habits, families, and the layout of their houses. He would often phone potential victims' homes numerous times to ascertain the occupants' routines, and break in before an assault - when an abode was empty - to look around, unlock doors, empty guns, plan escape routes..... and generally prepare for the crimes.

At first, the GSK targeted females who lived alone (or with children). He would sneak in at night, wake the woman, threaten her with a gun, and rape her. He always wore a mask, to prevent identification. However, the occasional glimpse from a witness in the street led to a variety of police sketches.


Police sketches of the Golden State Killer

Eventually, the GSK moved on to couples, which involved a considerable escalation of nerve and risk.

McNamara provides chilling word pictures of the GSK's atrocities. To rape a woman, for instance, he would jimmy a window or door; step inside quietly (sometimes without pants); awake the victim with a flashlight in her face; show her his gun; and speak to her in a raspy, low voice - sometimes threatening to kill her children if she didn't cooperate. The GSK would often say he only wanted food or money - perhaps to relax the victim - but then he'd bind, gag, blindfold, and rape the woman.....sometimes repeatedly.

The offender would then ransack the house for trophies like wedding rings, jewelry, driver's licences, and other personal items. Often, the GSK would remain in the house - completely silent - for a long time, so the woman would think he'd gone. Then, when the victim started to get up/call for help, he would terrorize/rape her again. Thus the sociopath added psychological torture to physical assault.

When the GSK moved on to couples, he used a similar routine. He would enter the home, wake the pair with a flashlight, and force the woman to tie up the man. He'd then take the female to another room to rape her. Often, the GSK would put crockery on the man's back, saying he'd kill the woman (and children) if he heard the cups/plates break.

Eventually, the GSK escalated to murdering his victims, leaving behind horrendous bloody crime scenes.

People living in neighborhoods targeted by the GSK were terrified, and tried to protect themselves, but nothing seemed to stop the perpetrator. In this day and age - with CCTV cameras everywhere - it would be nearly impossible to get away with the GSK's crime spree. But those were different times.

McNamara researched all the GSK's known crimes, and describes many of them in this book.....which is truly chilling. The GSK was a monster beyond common understanding. A number of victims said the GSK cried and called for his mommy after the assaults, but some people thought this was phony play-acting.

Interspersed with her crime reporting, McNamara talks about her personal life - discussing her all-consuming obsession with the Golden State Killer. At night, after her daughter went to sleep, McNamara would troll crime websites for hours, working among her daughter's playthings. The writer often made notes with crayons on yellow legal pads. McNamara would even do research on her phone when she attended red carpet events with her husband Patton.....oblivious to the celebrities around her. On the couple's eighth anniversary, Michelle forgot to get Patton anything - even a card - though he gave her a wonderful custom made gift (like always).

McNamara was determined to winkle out the identity of the GSK, and once thought she was close. Studying sales sites on the internet, for instance, Michelle saw cufflinks identical to an unusual pair the GSK had taken from a crime scene. Michelle paid $40 for overnight delivery of the $8 item, and gave the cufflinks to police detectives....but they weren't the right ones.

Sadly, McNamara died before the GSK was caught. She'd be glad to know, though, that a suspect was arrested in April, 2018 on the basis of DNA evidence. The accused is a 72-year-old Navy veteran and former police officer named Joseph James DeAngelo. News reports say that, at the time of his arrest, DeAngelo was living in the Sacramento area with his daughter and granddaughter, and was retired from his job at a grocery distribution center, where he'd worked for nearly 30 years. According to Sacramento county Sheriff Scott Jones, DeAngelo was 'very surprised when he was arrested outside his home.'


Joseph James DeAngelo then and now


Joseph James DeAngelo in jail



I hope a psychologist is able to interview DeAngelo, to determine why he became a serial rapist and murderer.

Rating: 4 stars