Convicted serial killer Rodney James Alcala, known as the “Dating Game Killer, ” died early July 24, 2021 at a hospital near Corcoran State Prison in central California, prison officials said.
Alcala, who was 77, had been on the state’s death row since 2010. He was sentenced to death in 2010 for the 1979 murder of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe and the murders of 18-year-old Jill Barcomb and 27-year-old Georgia Wixted, both in 1977; 32-year-old Charlotte Lamb in 1978; and 21-year-old Jill Parenteau in 1979.
Alcala also pleaded guilty to the murders of 2 New York women, in New York, Cornelia Crilley in 1971 and Ellen Jane Hover in 1977. He was sentenced to 25 years to life in 2013.
After Alcala’s conviction, authorities released more than 100 photos of unidentified women and children found in a storage unit that belonged to the killer. Most women remained unidentified, but some came forward to say they were alive.
In 2016, he was charged by Wyoming prosecutors with the murder of 28-year-old Christine Ruth Thornton, who disappeared in 1978. However, they declined to extradite him because of his declining health.
Alcala’s execution in California was postponed indefinitely in 2019 due to a moratorium on the state’s death penalty.
In May, 2021, Anna Kendrick was slated to star in the Netflix movie ‘Rodney & Sheryl’. The drama is based on Alcala appearing on the popular TV show ‘The Dating Game’ in 1978.
Alcala had brazenly took part in the show despite being in the middle of a murderous spree. Anna will portray Cheryl Bradshaw, the contestant who got a date with Alcala.
Photo from ABC News.