Angelo Buono Jr.
Hillside Strangler Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
October 1977 - February 1978
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
Angelo Buono Jr., an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist, along with his cousin Kenneth Bianchi, was responsible for the murders of ten young women and girls in Los Angeles, California, between October 17, 1977, and February 17, 1978. The victims were typically strangled and discarded on hillsides, leading to the case being dubbed the Hillside Strangler murders. Buono was apprehended on October 22, 1979, and after a lengthy trial, he was convicted in November 1983 on nine counts of murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Buono, who had a history of violence and sexual offenses, maintained his innocence until his death from a heart attack on September 21, 2002, while incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison. Significant evidence included the victims' bodies, forensic links to Buono and Bianchi, and testimonies from survivors of Buono's earlier assaults.
Buono and his cousin Kenneth Bianchi are believed to have worked together in a methodical manner, luring victims under the guise of needing assistance before abducting and murdering them. Some speculate that their crimes were influenced by their shared psychological issues and a desire for control over their victims. Additionally, there are theories that suggest Buono may have had a more dominant role in the killings, while Bianchi acted as an accomplice who later sought to distance himself from the murders during the trial.
The Dark Legacy of Angelo Buono Jr.: The Hillside Strangler
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Angelo Anthony Buono Jr. was born on October 5, 1934, in Rochester, New York. At the tender age of five, he relocated with his family to Glendale, California, a move that would set the stage for a life marred by crime and violence. As a teenager, Buono's disdain for his mother grew, fueled by his parents' divorce, which he blamed on her. This resentment manifested in derogatory name-calling, labeling her a "whore," and idolizing criminal figures like the notorious rapist Caryl Chessman.
Buono’s criminal activities began in his youth with petty theft, escalating to car theft in his mid-teens. His violent tendencies, particularly towards women, were evident early on. By 16, he had dropped out of school, and in 1951, his delinquent behavior landed him in a reformatory school, from which he swiftly escaped.
Personal Turmoil and Escalating Violence
Buono's personal life was as tumultuous as his criminal one. He fathered eight children, had four marriages, and left a trail of domestic abuse and neglect. His first marriage to 17-year-old Geraldine Vinal in 1956 ended quickly; he divorced her shortly after the birth of their son, Michael Lee Buono, and shirked child support responsibilities.
In 1957, Buono married Mary Catherine "Candy" Castillo, with whom he fathered five children. Their marriage was fraught with violence; in 1963, he brutally assaulted her in front of their children. By 1964, Candy had filed for divorce, citing his violent and sexually deviant behavior.
Buono's abuse wasn’t confined to his wives. His relationship with Nanette Campina, a single mother, followed a similar pattern of abuse and control. He fathered two more children with her, but their relationship deteriorated as he began sexually abusing her 14-year-old daughter, prompting Campina to leave him.
In 1972, Buono married Deborah Taylor but never lived with her. His voyeuristic tendencies became apparent when a roommate caught him watching schoolchildren through binoculars while masturbating.
The Formation of a Criminal Duo
In 1975, Buono opened an upholstery shop in Glendale, displaying the Italian flag and adopting the moniker "Italian Stallion." He cultivated a reputation for being a "stud," attracting young girls with his ostentatious jewelry and flashy lifestyle. His predatory behavior intensified when his adoptive cousin, Kenneth Bianchi, moved in with him in January 1976.
Bianchi, a petty criminal himself, soon discovered Buono's dark secret: he was holding four teenage girls captive in his home, using them as sex slaves for his upholstery business. This gruesome revelation set the stage for the infamous Hillside Strangler murders.
The Hillside Strangler Murders
The killing spree began in earnest in the fall of 1977. Buono and Bianchi, desperate for money, concocted a plan to pimp young women. Their discussions soon turned deadly, culminating in a series of brutal murders. Using fake police badges, they lured women into Bianchi's Cadillac under the guise of law enforcement, only to drive them to Buono's home where they were raped, tortured, and murdered.
Their reign of terror lasted five months, claiming the lives of ten young women and girls, ages 12 to 28. The victims were strangled and left on hillsides, earning the killers the moniker "The Hillside Stranglers." The confirmed victims included Yolanda Washington, Judith Lynn Miller, and Cindy Lee Hudspeth, among others.
Arrest and Trial
The law finally caught up with Bianchi in January 1979, when he was arrested for the murders of two women in Bellingham, Washington. To avoid the death penalty, he implicated Buono as his accomplice in the Hillside Strangler murders. Buono was arrested on October 22, 1979, at his Glendale upholstery shop, charged with 24 felonies, including murder.
The legal proceedings against Buono became the longest criminal trial in American history, stretching from November 1981 to November 1983. Bianchi's testimony was the cornerstone of the prosecution's case, despite his attempts to sabotage his credibility with self-contradictory statements. The trial featured nearly 400 witnesses and vivid testimonies of the gruesome crimes.
On November 14, 1983, Buono was convicted of nine counts of murder, though he was acquitted of the murder of Yolanda Washington. In January 1984, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Judge Ronald M. George remarked that Buono and Bianchi's crimes warranted the death penalty, ensuring they would never see freedom again.
Incarceration and Death
Buono's initial incarceration at Folsom State Prison was marked by isolation due to fears for his safety. He was later moved to Calipatria State Prison, where he married for the fourth time in 1986 to Christine Kizuka. On September 21, 2002, Buono died of a heart attack in his prison cell, his body cremated thereafter.
Legacy and Media Portrayals
Buono's dark legacy extended beyond his death. In 2007, his grandson, Christopher Buono, tragically committed suicide after shooting his grandmother, Mary Castillo. Chris had only learned of his grandfather's notorious past in 2005.
The Hillside Strangler case has been immortalized in film, with portrayals by actors Dennis Farina, Nicholas Turturro, and Tomas Arana, capturing the chilling saga of Angelo Buono Jr. and his reign of terror.
Sources
For more details, visit Angelo Buono Jr.'s Wikipedia page: Wikipedia
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Angelo Buono and Kenneth Bianchi murder Yolanda Washington, marking the start of the Hillside Strangler murders.
Multiple Murders Escalate
Buono and Bianchi murder two young girls, Dolores Cepeda and Sonja Johnson, further escalating their killing spree.
Final Victim Found
Cindy Lee Hudspeth, the last confirmed victim of Buono and Bianchi, is discovered, bringing the total to ten murders.
Buono Arrested
Angelo Buono is arrested at his upholstery shop, charged with multiple felonies including murder.
Preliminary Hearing
Judge refuses to dismiss charges against Buono, believing there is sufficient evidence for probable cause.
Conviction
Buono is convicted of 9 counts of murder after a lengthy trial, being found not guilty in the murder of Yolanda Washington.
Sentenced to Life
Buono is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for his crimes.
Buono Dies
Angelo Buono dies of a heart attack while serving his life sentence at Calipatria State Prison.
Angelo Buono Jr., an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist, along with his cousin Kenneth Bianchi, was responsible for the murders of ten young women and girls in Los Angeles, California, between October 17, 1977, and February 17, 1978. The victims were typically strangled and discarded on hillsides, leading to the case being dubbed the Hillside Strangler murders. Buono was apprehended on October 22, 1979, and after a lengthy trial, he was convicted in November 1983 on nine counts of murder, receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Buono, who had a history of violence and sexual offenses, maintained his innocence until his death from a heart attack on September 21, 2002, while incarcerated at Calipatria State Prison. Significant evidence included the victims' bodies, forensic links to Buono and Bianchi, and testimonies from survivors of Buono's earlier assaults.
Buono and his cousin Kenneth Bianchi are believed to have worked together in a methodical manner, luring victims under the guise of needing assistance before abducting and murdering them. Some speculate that their crimes were influenced by their shared psychological issues and a desire for control over their victims. Additionally, there are theories that suggest Buono may have had a more dominant role in the killings, while Bianchi acted as an accomplice who later sought to distance himself from the murders during the trial.
The Dark Legacy of Angelo Buono Jr.: The Hillside Strangler
Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
Angelo Anthony Buono Jr. was born on October 5, 1934, in Rochester, New York. At the tender age of five, he relocated with his family to Glendale, California, a move that would set the stage for a life marred by crime and violence. As a teenager, Buono's disdain for his mother grew, fueled by his parents' divorce, which he blamed on her. This resentment manifested in derogatory name-calling, labeling her a "whore," and idolizing criminal figures like the notorious rapist Caryl Chessman.
Buono’s criminal activities began in his youth with petty theft, escalating to car theft in his mid-teens. His violent tendencies, particularly towards women, were evident early on. By 16, he had dropped out of school, and in 1951, his delinquent behavior landed him in a reformatory school, from which he swiftly escaped.
Personal Turmoil and Escalating Violence
Buono's personal life was as tumultuous as his criminal one. He fathered eight children, had four marriages, and left a trail of domestic abuse and neglect. His first marriage to 17-year-old Geraldine Vinal in 1956 ended quickly; he divorced her shortly after the birth of their son, Michael Lee Buono, and shirked child support responsibilities.
In 1957, Buono married Mary Catherine "Candy" Castillo, with whom he fathered five children. Their marriage was fraught with violence; in 1963, he brutally assaulted her in front of their children. By 1964, Candy had filed for divorce, citing his violent and sexually deviant behavior.
Buono's abuse wasn’t confined to his wives. His relationship with Nanette Campina, a single mother, followed a similar pattern of abuse and control. He fathered two more children with her, but their relationship deteriorated as he began sexually abusing her 14-year-old daughter, prompting Campina to leave him.
In 1972, Buono married Deborah Taylor but never lived with her. His voyeuristic tendencies became apparent when a roommate caught him watching schoolchildren through binoculars while masturbating.
The Formation of a Criminal Duo
In 1975, Buono opened an upholstery shop in Glendale, displaying the Italian flag and adopting the moniker "Italian Stallion." He cultivated a reputation for being a "stud," attracting young girls with his ostentatious jewelry and flashy lifestyle. His predatory behavior intensified when his adoptive cousin, Kenneth Bianchi, moved in with him in January 1976.
Bianchi, a petty criminal himself, soon discovered Buono's dark secret: he was holding four teenage girls captive in his home, using them as sex slaves for his upholstery business. This gruesome revelation set the stage for the infamous Hillside Strangler murders.
The Hillside Strangler Murders
The killing spree began in earnest in the fall of 1977. Buono and Bianchi, desperate for money, concocted a plan to pimp young women. Their discussions soon turned deadly, culminating in a series of brutal murders. Using fake police badges, they lured women into Bianchi's Cadillac under the guise of law enforcement, only to drive them to Buono's home where they were raped, tortured, and murdered.
Their reign of terror lasted five months, claiming the lives of ten young women and girls, ages 12 to 28. The victims were strangled and left on hillsides, earning the killers the moniker "The Hillside Stranglers." The confirmed victims included Yolanda Washington, Judith Lynn Miller, and Cindy Lee Hudspeth, among others.
Arrest and Trial
The law finally caught up with Bianchi in January 1979, when he was arrested for the murders of two women in Bellingham, Washington. To avoid the death penalty, he implicated Buono as his accomplice in the Hillside Strangler murders. Buono was arrested on October 22, 1979, at his Glendale upholstery shop, charged with 24 felonies, including murder.
The legal proceedings against Buono became the longest criminal trial in American history, stretching from November 1981 to November 1983. Bianchi's testimony was the cornerstone of the prosecution's case, despite his attempts to sabotage his credibility with self-contradictory statements. The trial featured nearly 400 witnesses and vivid testimonies of the gruesome crimes.
On November 14, 1983, Buono was convicted of nine counts of murder, though he was acquitted of the murder of Yolanda Washington. In January 1984, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Judge Ronald M. George remarked that Buono and Bianchi's crimes warranted the death penalty, ensuring they would never see freedom again.
Incarceration and Death
Buono's initial incarceration at Folsom State Prison was marked by isolation due to fears for his safety. He was later moved to Calipatria State Prison, where he married for the fourth time in 1986 to Christine Kizuka. On September 21, 2002, Buono died of a heart attack in his prison cell, his body cremated thereafter.
Legacy and Media Portrayals
Buono's dark legacy extended beyond his death. In 2007, his grandson, Christopher Buono, tragically committed suicide after shooting his grandmother, Mary Castillo. Chris had only learned of his grandfather's notorious past in 2005.
The Hillside Strangler case has been immortalized in film, with portrayals by actors Dennis Farina, Nicholas Turturro, and Tomas Arana, capturing the chilling saga of Angelo Buono Jr. and his reign of terror.
Sources
For more details, visit Angelo Buono Jr.'s Wikipedia page: Wikipedia
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Angelo Buono and Kenneth Bianchi murder Yolanda Washington, marking the start of the Hillside Strangler murders.
Multiple Murders Escalate
Buono and Bianchi murder two young girls, Dolores Cepeda and Sonja Johnson, further escalating their killing spree.
Final Victim Found
Cindy Lee Hudspeth, the last confirmed victim of Buono and Bianchi, is discovered, bringing the total to ten murders.
Buono Arrested
Angelo Buono is arrested at his upholstery shop, charged with multiple felonies including murder.
Preliminary Hearing
Judge refuses to dismiss charges against Buono, believing there is sufficient evidence for probable cause.
Conviction
Buono is convicted of 9 counts of murder after a lengthy trial, being found not guilty in the murder of Yolanda Washington.
Sentenced to Life
Buono is sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for his crimes.
Buono Dies
Angelo Buono dies of a heart attack while serving his life sentence at Calipatria State Prison.