I’ll Be Gone In The Dark: True story behind the documentary and how the Golden State Killer was caught

I’ll Be Gone In The Dark will be hitting our screens very soon – and will surround the true story of how one woman identified one of the most horrific serial rapists in decades, The Golden State Killer.

From 1974 to 1986 The Golden State Killer, whose real name is Joseph James DeAngelo, committed at least 13 murders and 50 rapes before he was eventually caught.

The 73-year-old was also known as the East Area Rapist and the Visalia Ransacker.

And while he was eventually arrested, it wasn’t the police who brought him to justice, it was author Michelle McNamara.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is based on McNamara’s book of the same title, which was released in 2018.

It is understood that the author’s work led to the arrest of the Golden State Killer after she worked closely with several detectives.

FILE - In this June 1, 2018, file, pool photo, Joseph James DeAngelo appears in Sacramento Superior Court, in Sacramento, Calif. Authorities have cleared DeAngelo accused of being California's Golden State Killer of involvement in the 1975 murder of a 14-year-old girl in the Central Valley. The Tulare County district attorney's office on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, released a review that said DNA testing concluded that DeAngelo didn't kill Donna Jo Richmond. (Jose Luis Villegas/The Sacramento Bee via AP, Pool, File)
The 73-year-old was eventually bought to justice (Picture: AP)
As Michelle???s loved ones cope with her sudden death, her work to unmask the Golden State Killer lives on. Inspired by McNamara???s interest in genealogy and online DNA testing services, Paul Holes, Chief of Forensics in Contra Costa County, reconstructs the killer???s family tree with the help of genetic genealogist Barbara-Rae Venter. After inheriting Michelle???s 37 boxes of case files, researcher Paul Haynes and true crime writer Billy Jensen work alongside Michelle???s husband, Patton Oswalt, to finish her book, which becomes an instant bestseller. Meanwhile, the release of Michelle???s autopsy report rocks her inner circle. Michelle???s writing ??? in which she wrestles with depression and her own mother???s sudden death ??? sheds light on her pain but leaves many questions unanswered.
Michelle’s work led to the arrest of the Golden State Killer (Picture: Home Box Office Inc.)

It is also believed that the title of the book was taken from the murderer himself after he reportedly said to one of his victims: ‘You’ll be silent forever, and I’ll be gone in the dark.’

The book was released on February 27, 2018, nearly two years after McNamara’s death and just two months before an arrest was finally made.

This undated photo released by the FBI shows a home invasion ransacking by an attacker who became known as the
A photo of one of the crime scenes (Picture: AP)

Who was the Golden State Killer and how was he found?

The Golden State Killer would often spend his days scoping out quiet and peaceful suburbs, which is where he began raping his victims.

It was only then he started to target couples, where he would often bind and blindfold the couples before stacking dishes on top of them.

Joseph James DeAngelo, charged with being the Golden State Killer, enters a Sacramento County Superior Courtroom in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 12, 2020. Superior Court Judge Steve White approved prosecutors' request to take more DNA samples from DeAngelo over the objections of his defense attorneys. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
He was charged with eight counts of murder (Picture: AP)

He would also warn the women before he assaulted them, that if he heard a single dish smash then he would murder them both.

Two months after McNamara’s book was released, DeAngelo was arrested.

He was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder based on DNA evidence as well as 13 kidnapping counts.

The police were only able to find because of DNA ancestry testing.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark will be available to stream on NOW TV from August 30.

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