'Unmasking a Monster': Golden State Killer series challenges timeline of Joseph DeAngelo's crimes

For four decades, Joseph DeAngelo hid in plain sight as the man authorities would eventually identify as the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist and, most famously, the Golden State Killer. But a new Fox Nation series is investigating whether his known crimes tell the whole story.

"Golden State Killer: Unmasking a Monster" re-examines DeAngelo’s violent past through exclusive testimony and never-before-seen evidence, asking whether his crimes began earlier than previously believed and, if so, what additional victims he left behind.

The Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., appears in court wearing a face shield. (Fox Nation)

"There’s a possibility, and probably a high likelihood, that he committed way more crimes than we ever will know about," said Anne Marie Schubert, who served as the Sacramento County district attorney from 2015 to 2023.

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DeAngelo was arrested in 2018 at 72 years old following a search of genealogy websites, bringing an end to a decades-long hunt. In 2020, he pleaded guilty to 50 rapes and 13 murders.

The four-part series challenges the established timeline of DeAngelo’s crimes, beginning with accounts of earlier assaults and controlling behavior. It goes on to re-examine evidence surrounding the murders of two teenage girls and explores whether DeAngelo framed others to evade capture.

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. is seen behind bars. (Fox Nation)

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Later episodes examine his more than 50 attacks as the East Area Rapist and his transformation from serial rapist to serial killer.

The series also raises questions about crimes that remain unsolved, including the cases of Donna Richmond and Bess Snelling, featuring new statements from alleged victims and their relatives.

A sign seeking information on the man known as both the East Area Rapist and the Golden State Killer from the time before Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. was caught shows three police sketches. (Fox Nation)

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One survivor featured in the series recounts being violently raped when she was 12 years old. Another person of interest believes his mother was a victim of DeAngelo.

The final chapter examines perhaps the largest lingering question surrounding DeAngelo’s crimes — whether they actually ended in 1986, or whether he continued prowling, raping and killing before his arrest more than three decades later.

To learn more, subscribe to Fox Nation and stream "Golden State Killer: Unmasking a Monster."

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Max Bacall is an associate editor for Fox News Digital covering media, culture and comedy.