Rodney Alcala was an American serial killer and sex offender, active primarily in the 1970s. Born on August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas. He gained notoriety for his charming personality and photographic skills, which he used to lure victims. Alcala’s criminal activities included the abduction, rape, and murder of multiple young women and girls.
His first known crime occurred in 1968 when he was convicted of sexual assault against a child but was released after serving a short sentence. Alcala’s killings spanned several years and multiple states, with many victims still unidentified.
In 1978, he appeared on the television show The Dating Game while he was a fugitive, which highlighted his ability to blend into society despite his criminal background. He was apprehended in 1979 and tried multiple times for various murders, with his first conviction occurring in 1980. However, that verdict was overturned on appeal due to prosecutorial misconduct.
After a lengthy legal battle, Alcala was finally convicted of several murders in 2010 and sentenced to death. He died on July 24, 2021, while on death row in California. His case remains one of the most notorious in American criminal history. Due to his deceptive charm and the chilling nature of his crimes.
Quick Facts About Rodney Alcala
| Full Name | Rodney James Alcala |
| Date of Birth | August 23, 1943 |
| Place of Birth | San Antonio, Texas, USA |
| Known For | Serial killer and sex offender |
| Active Years | 1968–1979 (primary), with crimes spanning decades |
| First Conviction | 1971 for child molestation |
| Notable Appearance | Contestant on The Dating Game in 1978 |
| Capture | Arrested in 1979 |
| Trial Convictions | Convicted of multiple murders in 2010 |
| Sentence | Death penalty |
| Death | July 24, 2021, in California prison |
| Victims | Estimated 8 to over 100 (exact number unknown) |
| Modus Operandi | Lured victims with charm, photography skills |
| Criminal Legacy | Known for his deceptive charm and heinous crimes |
Early Life and Education
Rodney Alcala was born on August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas, to a Mexican-American family. He was the second of three children. His father abandoned the family when Rodney was young, leading his mother to move the family to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1950s.
Growing up, Alcala faced challenges, including a troubled home environment. He exhibited troubling behavior as a child and was described as being distant and withdrawn. After graduating from high school, he served in the U.S.
Army for a short time, later enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied film and photography.
His interest in photography would later play a significant role in his crimes, as he used it to lure victims. Despite a promising academic path, Alcala’s life took a dark turn as he began engaging in criminal behavior, culminating in his first conviction for sexual assault in 1968. This marked the beginning of a series of crimes that would lead to his notoriety as a serial killer.
First Attack and Arrest
Rodney Alcala, infamously known as the “Dating Game Killer,” was a serial killer and sex offender whose criminal activities began in the late 1960s. His first attack occurred in 1968 when he kidnapped and assaulted 8-year-old Tali Shapiro.
A witness observed Alcala driving off with her and alerted the police, who arrived to find Shapiro alive but severely beaten and raped. Alcala fled the scene, evading capture at that time.
Following this attack, Alcala managed to evade law enforcement for several years, during which he continued to commit crimes. In 1971, he was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list after being recognized by campers at an arts camp in New Hampshire while using the alias “John Berger.”
This led to his arrest in August of that year. However, due to complications with Shapiro’s family not returning to testify, Alcala pled guilty to a lesser charge of child molestation and served only 34 months in prison before being paroled in 1974.
Upon his release, Alcala’s criminal behavior persisted. He was arrested again shortly after for marijuana possession while with a 13-year-old girl. He returned to prison in 1977.
His pattern of deception included posing as a photographer to lure victims, which he used successfully in multiple instances leading up to his eventual capture for murder in 1979.
Rodney Alcala: Victims and Convictions
Victims
- Tali Shapiro: The first known victim abducted in 1968. She escaped leading to Alcala’s initial arrest.
- An unidentified woman: Found murdered in 1971 in Los Angeles; believed to be one of his early victims.
- Judy Kaye: A 21-year-old college student who disappeared in 1977, her remains were found in 1978.
- Cornelia Michel: A 20-year-old woman kidnapped and murdered in 1977.
- Robin Samsoe: A 15-year-old girl who disappeared in 1979. Alcala was convicted of her murder in 1980.
Convictions
- 1980 Conviction: Alcala was convicted of the murder of Robin Samsoe and sentenced to death. This conviction was later overturned on appeal due to improper jury instructions.
- Second Trial (1986): He was retried but the case ended in a mistrial.
- Third Trial (2003): Alcala was tried again for the murders of several victims, including Robin Samsoe. He was convicted and sentenced to death.
- Additional Convictions: In 2010, he was linked to other murders through DNA evidence, leading to further charges.
Final Sentencing
Alcala was on death row until he died in 2021 serving time for multiple counts of murder. The total number of victims was estimated to be over 100 though he was convicted for only a few.
Rodney Alcala’s Appearance on The Dating Game
Alcala appeared on The Dating Game on September 13, 1978. He was a contestant on the show, where he portrayed himself as a charming bachelor.
At the time of his appearance, Alcala was already a convicted sex offender, and he had been linked to several murders. His demeanor on the show was relaxed and charismatic, which contrasted sharply with his criminal background.
Despite winning a date with bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw, she later refused to go out with him after finding out about his unsettling persona.
His appearance highlighted the disconnect between his public persona and his violent crimes, contributing to his infamy as the “Dating Game Killer.”
Death and Legacy
Rodney Alcala died on July 24, 2021. He died of natural causes, specifically due to complications from cancer. Alcala passed away while on death row at the Corcoran State Prison in California.
Despite being sentenced to death, Alcala’s execution was never carried out, as legal appeals delayed the process for years. His death ended a lengthy criminal case that spanned decades, with Alcala being a notorious figure in the history of American serial killers.
Documentaries and Movies about Rodney Alcala
The Killing of America (1981)
Focuses on various serial killers in America, including Alcala, highlighting his crimes and the societal impact of such violence.
“Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer” (2010)
This documentary explores Alcala’s appearance on the game show “The Dating Game” and his life as a serial killer.
“The Real Life Hannibal” (2010)
Part of the documentary series “Real Crime,” this episode features Alcala and his chilling methods, connecting him to multiple murders.
“Serial Killers: The Ted Bundy Files” (2019)
While primarily about Ted Bundy, this documentary includes segments discussing other serial killers, including Alcala.
Movies
“The Dating Game Killer” (2021)
A fictionalized account of Alcala’s life, particularly focusing on his time as a contestant on “The Dating Game” and his murderous activities.
“Serial Killer: The Real Life Hannibal” (2018)
This film features dramatizations of the lives and crimes of various serial killers, including Alcala.
FAQs
Who is Rodney Alcala?
A notorious American serial killer active in the 1960s and 1970s, known as the “Dating Game Killer.”
What was Alcala’s first crime?
He kidnapped and assaulted 8-year-old Tali Shapiro in 1968 but was arrested shortly after.
When did Rodney Alcala die?
Alcala died on July 24, 2021, from natural causes while on death row in California.