Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
This story originally aired on June 1, 2024.
Produced by Gayane Keshishyan Mendez and Tom Seligson.
When “48 Hours” explored the case of Rodney Alcala, he had already been found guilty of murdering five women in California. However, his connection to numerous other unsolved cases would soon come to light.
A series of photographs that Alcala had taken and made public by “48 Hours” helped one woman uncover the fate of her sister, who had gone missing nearly 40 years earlier. The question remains: how many more cases could be connected to him?
In Los Angeles in 1968, an eight-year-old girl named Tali Shapiro was on her way to school when a man in a car approached her.
Chris Camacho | Former LAPD Detective: As I started my shift that day, I received a report about a beige car tailing a little girl.
Steve Hodel | Former LAPD Detective: A bystander noticed the suspicious situation and decided to follow the car, then alerted the LAPD.
Arriving quickly, Officer Chris Camacho took action at the suspect’s residence.
Chris Camacho: I knocked on the door and identified myself as a police officer. A man with a sinister look answered, claiming he was getting dressed. I gave him ten seconds before I forced the door open. The sight that I encountered in the kitchen was horrific; there lay a body amid a considerable amount of blood.
Matt Murphy | Orange County Deputy D.A.: The scene was haunting—the small shoes of the child next to a metal bar thought to be the murder weapon, coupled with the excessive blood. It was shocking.
Despite initial fears, Tali was discovered alive but in critical condition and was rushed to a hospital.
Matt Murphy: If it weren’t for the swift actions of that police officer, Tali Shapiro might not have survived her ordeal at Alcala’s hands.
Upon investigating Alcala’s home, the officers unearthed a disturbing collection of photographic equipment and numerous pictures of young girls, evidencing his predatory behavior.
Chris Camacho: The collection was mind-boggling, especially seeing IDs and personal belongings linking the photos back to Alcala, who was a UCLA student at the time of the incident.
Alcala managed to escape capture during the chaotic intervention, raising concerns among investigators.
Chris Camacho: When I kicked in the door, he slipped out the back and evaded us.
Detectives Steve Hodel and others worked tirelessly, but the absence of forensic technology hindered their search.
ON THE RUN
Born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1943, Alcala’s tumultuous upbringing led him to enlist in the Army at 17, where he faced allegations of misconduct and was ultimately discharged.
Steve Braccini | Former NYPD Cold Case Detective: The military identified him as a potential danger to society due to his behavior.
In 1969, the FBI labeled Alcala as one of its Most Wanted fugitives, but tracking him down proved challenging.
Matt Murphy: Following the assault on Tali Shapiro, Alcala fled to New York City, where he continued to reinvent himself, even attending film school.
Three years later, Alcala’s predatory side would once again surface.
JUNE 1971
His next victim was 23-year-old flight attendant Cornelia Michael Crilley.
Leon Borstein | Cornelia’s Boyfriend: Cornelia was radiant and sophisticated.
After returning home to find her door locked and failing to reach her by phone, Borstein sought help from the police.
Melissa Mourges | Manhattan Prosecutor: The scene that unfolded at her apartment was shocking—Cornelia was found stripped and strangled, with evidence of extreme violence.
Investigators struggled to find leads in a crowded city rife with crime.
Martha Bashford | Manhattan Prosecutor: With nearly 2,000 murders in New York that year, Cornelia’s case went cold.
Unbeknownst to authorities, Alcala had changed his name to John Berger and relocated to New Hampshire, where he even became a camp counselor.
Matt Murphy: Two campers recognized Alcala from an FBI Most Wanted poster, leading to his arrest.
Still, due to the absence of key witnesses, prosecutors opted for a plea arrangement, resulting in a light sentence for Alcala, who was released after just over two years.
Matt Murphy: It was astonishing—he received a sentence of one to life and was out in only 34 months.
Once free, Alcala continued to exert charm as he blended back into society, even participating in the dating scene.
Matt Murphy: His charismatic exterior concealed his darkness, allowing him to mingle freely without raising suspicion.
In 1977, following Alcala’s brief stint of freedom, he victimized yet again.
RETURN TO KILLING
As he roamed freely through New York, Alcala added 23-year-old musician Ellen Hover to his list of victims.
Anita Feinberg: Ellen was gentle and kindhearted.
Ellen, from a well-known family, was reported missing, igniting concern among friends and police.
Melissa Mourges: Once her body was discovered, the investigation intensified. The brutal nature of her murder included signs of restraint.
Detectives believed they were onto something significant regarding Alcala when they discovered a potential clue connected to her disappearance.
Melissa Mourges: Her calendar indicated an appointment with someone referred to as John Berger—a name that would later reveal a critical connection.
Unfortunately, Ellen’s body remained unidentified for a year until remains were found, but by that time, the trail had gone cold.
SEARCH FOR TRUTH
Meanwhile, in the spring of 1977, along the same roads, Christine Ruth Thornton began an unfortunate journey that would lead to tragedy.
Kathy Thornton, Christine’s younger sister, feared for her safety after losing contact.
Kathy Thornton: My instinct told me something was terribly wrong.
Kathy’s relentless pursuit for answers stretched nearly four decades and involved countless inquiries.
Kathy Thornton: I faced roadblock after roadblock in my search; every door seemed to lead nowhere.
As Kathy sought closure, Rodney Alcala’s name remained unknown to her until an unexpected lead surfaced, linking him to her sister.
THE FINAL UNCOVERING
By 1979, Robin Samsoe, a 12-year-old girl, became another name on Alcala’s growing list of victims while enjoying life in Southern California.
Bridget Wilvurt: We were carefree, and those summer days felt endless.
On June 20, 1979, Robin rode her bike towards her first job but never arrived, leading to an urgent search by her family.
Marianne Connelly: Not knowing where she was made it all the more terrifying.
After a series of investigations, Robin’s remains were discovered—a heartbreaking outcome for her loved ones, hinted at through witness accounts.
Marianne Connelly: At that moment, every parent’s nightmare became a reality.
Bridget’s description helped create a composite sketch that led police back to Alcala, who had a history of violence.
Matt Murphy: His parole officer recognized the sketch and immediately alerted detectives, leading to Alcala’s swift arrest.
Subsequent searches of his storage unit revealed countless photographs of vulnerable women, providing chilling evidence of his sadistic nature.
THE TRIAL AND LEGACY OF PAIN
The case against Alcala reached trial, yet complexities arose when the jurors found out about his previous transgressions, leading to a recalculation of the judicial process.
Even as the legal system grappled with procedural hurdles, public outcry for justice for Alcala’s numerous victims persisted.
After being retried, Alcala received his final sentencing of death in 2010.
Melissa Mourges: After so many years, knowing that justice was finally afforded to Robin’s family was profoundly moving.
When the dust settled, Alcala remained a figure of depravity and fear, with unanswered questions lingering in the minds of families across the nation.
Kathy Thornton: Even after all these years, it’s painful to think about how many lives were affected.
Alcala’s manipulations allowed him to evade justice for years, and with each victim accounted for, law enforcement continues to seek out other potential cases tied to his heinous legacy.
In 2021, Rodney Alcala passed away from natural causes, ending a chapter of terror but leaving in its wake an ongoing pursuit of truth and closure for many families.
Produced by Gayane Keshishyan Mendez and Tom Seligson.
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www.cbsnews.com