This story aired previously on June 1, 2024, produced by Gayane Keshishyan Mendez and Tom Seligson. When “48 Hours” first investigated the case of Rodney Alcala, he had been convicted of the murder of five California women. But it wasn’t over; he would be tied to other cold cases.
In Los Angeles in 1968, 8-year-old Tali Shapiro was walking to school when a car pulled up alongside her. Former detective Chris Camacho of LAPD was on patrol and received a call about a suspicious car following the little girl. A Good Samaritan followed the car and alerted LAPD. Camacho arrived at the scene and found Tali in the car with a man who turned out to be Rodney Alcala. Alcala tried to evade Camacho, but Tali was found in his kitchen, barely alive.
Alcala had slipped through the officers’ fingers, but it was clear he was a danger. He had a history of allegations of sexual misconduct and was even on the FBI’s Most Wanted List in 1969. Alcala continued his killing spree, targeting women across different states. His crimes went undetected for years until he was finally connected to multiple murders through DNA evidence.
One of his victims was Christine Thornton, whose remains were found in Wyoming. Her sister, Kathy Thornton, spent nearly 40 years searching for answers and finally found closure when DNA linked Christine to Alcala. Despite his age and health, Alcala remained a master manipulator, deflecting questions and denying his crimes.
In the end, with the suspension of California’s death penalty, Alcala died of natural causes in 2021, leaving behind a trail of devastation and unanswered questions for the families of his victims. The case of Rodney Alcala serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by serial killers and the importance of relentless pursuit of justice.
