Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer.

In 1978, Rodney Alcala appeared on the popular television show The Dating Game. He smiled for the cameras, flirted with the contestant, and won the date. What no one in the studio knew was that Alcala was already a violent predator—and was in the middle of a murder spree. His bizarre television appearance would eventually earn him one of true crime’s most chilling nicknames: the Dating Game Killer. Alcala often used photography as a way to approach women and girls, convincing them to pose for him before gaining their trust. After his arrest, investigators discovered a massive collection of photographs depicting hundreds of unidentified women, girls, and boys, raising fears that some may have been additional victims. His crimes stretched across multiple states and decades. In California, Alcala was ultimately convicted of murdering Robin Samsoe, Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, and Jill Parenteau. He later pleaded guilty to the New York murders of Cornelia Crilley and Ellen Hover, and investigators have linked or suspected him in still more cases. One of the most disturbing elements of Alcala’s story was how many opportunities there had been to stop him. Years before his murder convictions, eight-year-old Tali Shapiro survived a brutal attack by Alcala after a witness saw him lure her away and alerted police. Other women also survived encounters with him, including Morgan Rowan, who later spoke publicly about the violence she endured. Yet Alcala repeatedly returned to the streets. In 1979, the murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe finally led investigators to him. He was convicted and sentenced to death, although his case went through multiple trials and appeals before later DNA evidence connected him to additional murders. The true number of Rodney Alcala’s victims remains unknown. Authorities conclusively tied him to multiple murders, while investigators have long suspected that his actual body count may have been far higher. Alcala died of natural causes on California’s death row in July 2021 at age 77. This is the true crime story of Rodney Alcala, the Dating Game Killer—a photographer, convicted serial murderer, and television bachelor who once smiled into millions of American homes while hiding something horrifying behind the charm. Listen now as we break down: Alcala’s early life and first known crimes How he used photography to lure victims The unbelievable Dating Game appearance The investigation, trial, and final sentencing   Sources for this podcast Support the show Send Kris and Rob a Message JOIN THE  HITCHED 2 HOMICIDE IN-LAWS AND OUTLAWS START KRIS CALVERT'S BOOKS TODAY FOR FREE H2H WEBSITE H2H on TWITTER H2H on INSTA Rodney Alcala, Dating Game Killer, Rodney Alcala serial killer, The Dating Game Killer, Rodney Alcala Dating Game, Woman of the Hour, Rodney Alcala victims, Robin Samsoe, Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, Jill Parenteau, Cornelia Crilley, Ellen Hover, Tali Shapiro, Rodney Alcala photographs, serial killer photographer, California serial killer, New York serial killer, 1970s serial killer, Anna Kendrick Woman of the Hour, true crime podcast #RodneyAlcala, #DatingGameKiller, #TheDatingGameKiller, #WomanOfTheHour, #RobinSamsoe, #TaliShapiro, #SerialKiller, #CaliforniaTrueCrime, #NewYorkTrueCrime, #1970sTrueCrime, #TrueCrime, #TrueCrimePodcast, #TrueCrimeCommunity, #CrimeHistory, #Hitched2Homicide     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.