For several months now, our friend Bill Harticon has been traveling to the different East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer attack sites and snapping amazing photos. These pictures have been instrumental in helping many of us visualize areas that we’re not able to visit in-person.
Today we visit the scene of the first known Southern California attack committed by the East Area Rapist / Golden State Killer. Luckily, this couple got away. The next victims would not be so lucky.
We’re so grateful to Bill Harticon for putting these photos together for us!
In the early morning hours of October 1st, 1979, the East Area Rapist made his presence known in Southern California, a few hundred miles away from where he’d previously been attacking. He attacked here on Queen Ann Lane, most likely using the types of canals and walkways that he’d used before.Before he committed his assault, he stole a bicycle from this area of North Patterson,
mostly likely entering and exiting the street from here.This area could’ve been the way he arrived at the attack site. He didn’t leave from here, though.Another view.Queen Ann Lane, near the attack site. The would-be rapist/killer rode his bike past an off-duty FBI agent at this location.The FBI agent pursued him down Queen Ann Lane and Kellogg.This is Kellogg, the escape route that the EAR/GSK took on his bike.During the time period of this attack and the Offerman/Manning murders, construction was going on in this area that might have brought the killer down, depending on what his occupation was.The Calle Real shopping center. Painting was going on at the time of the Offerman/Manning murders, and some theorize that the offender was a painter based on some physical evidence found in Northern California and at the scene of the Offerman/Manning murders.
