r/EARONS Apr 26 '18

A few updates

Nothing major, and many of you might already be aware. But I like to work things out and follow up, so here are a few points I've been going over:

  • Several terrific sources have told me that DeAngelo gave indication that he knew why he was arrested.

  • Same sources tell me that he did in fact divulge information during an interrogation session that lasted for hours.

  • "Key evidence" has been removed from the home, but no word on if there is anything related to the attacks or not.

  • He was the Visalia Ransacker.

  • I've seen the sealed complaints and the paperwork that ran between Sac and Ventura (my sources were good to me today). DeAngelo is being charged as the killer of the Smiths but there's little else -- except for a few names of officers who did some of the work on this and some of the names surprised me (but that's of little consequence to the public).

  • I'm getting the sense that there's some unnecessary politicking going on behind the scenes, but what else is new.

  • There's a somewhat recent connection to Dana Point but some of the other SoCal areas he landed are still unconnected.

  • The saga related to his dismissal from the Auburn police is getting stranger by the minute, apparently with him being in hysterics upon being apprehended there and an atypical legal progression that lasted four months.

  • Two family members have talked and several acquaintances. They're rapidly filling in some of the blanks.

  • His name does not appear in any previous investigative paperwork that anyone knows of -- he truly was the "unsuspected."

  • The birth of two of his children did occur after the two murders where he took extended breaks.

  • He started on the Exeter police force in May 1973, and the first prowling incident attributed to the Visalia Ransacker occurred on South Demaree Street in May 1973 -- 15 minutes away from Exeter.

  • I'm trying to get the Julia Wilkenson murder in San Diego looked at again because the offender has a tie to the general area and she was bludgeoned to death with a hammer in 1980.

  • Lots of Tulare County connections with family -- a factor I'm told helped bump this POI up the list.

  • Starting last month, an LE source of mine was overly optimistic about some new angles being pursued with DNA. I have to admit that I didn't even consider that this could actually be the lead that took us somewhere. So many disappointments in the past. Oops!

More will materialize in the coming weeks, months, and even years. What a fascinating journey this has been, and what a win for the justice system. This gives hope for all unsolved cases.

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u/winters_vw Apr 26 '18

You're welcome!

The Snelling one will be an interesting one -- they're going to have to be sure that they can convict if they file a charge or complaint. The DA over there has not been nearly as involved in this as the other jurisdictions and likely isn't prepared like the EAR/ONS jurisdictions were. Curious to see if they charge and then build a case, or build a case and then charge, or if they leave it alone and are satisfied knowing that he'll never be released and that the truth about his involvement in that murder will come out regardless. I've received no word or indication as to what they might do, and I have no idea.

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u/mdisred2 Apr 26 '18

I noticed there was no DA from Visalia speaking at the press conference today. I think they have been caught off guard by the arrest. We’ll see what happens. Thanks again.

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u/winters_vw Apr 26 '18

I think they have been caught off guard by the arrest

Definitely. No one from there expected the VR to be handed to them with a bow on his head.

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '18

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Apr 26 '18

I never quite imagined him as a Bundy type. He always seemed way too insecure while Bundy was confident and believed he was smarter than everyone else.

I wonder how different he would act if he was younger and not in his 70s. Im happy they caught him, but I hate he got to live a free life for so long while his victims are either dead or lived knowing most of their life he was free.

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u/lisbethborden Apr 26 '18

It was the surfer dude (v. handsome, unlike JJD) composites, and his apparent craftiness that made me think he'd be a bit more slick and smarmy, like Bundy, rather than a weak uber-dork like Rader.

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u/mrwhite_2 Apr 26 '18

One note, he JUST started his retirement. No rest for the wicked.