Hillside Strangler
Los Angeles Serial Killers
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California
TIME PERIOD
October 1977 - February 1978
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
The Hillside Strangler case involves a series of brutal murders committed by cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. in Los Angeles, California, between October 16, 1977, and February 16, 1978. The duo targeted young women, primarily abducting them from middle-class neighborhoods and luring them under the guise of police officers, before sexually assaulting and strangling them, with their bodies later discarded on wooded hillsides. A total of ten victims were confirmed, with Bianchi later implicated in two additional murders. The investigation gained momentum following Bianchi's arrest on January 12, 1979, for unrelated murders in Washington, leading to his cooperation with authorities and the subsequent arrest of Buono on October 22, 1979. Both were convicted of multiple murders, with Bianchi receiving a life sentence and Buono also sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
The Hillside Stranglers are believed to have specifically targeted young women, often luring them by impersonating police officers. Some speculate that the killers may have had psychological issues stemming from their upbringing, contributing to their violent behaviors. Additionally, there are theories that the duo may have had a larger network or accomplices involved in their crimes, given the complexity and coordination required to carry out the murders.
The Hillside Stranglers: A Reign of Terror in Los Angeles
In the cool, crisp air of Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, an ominous presence loomed over the city. The media dubbed this mysterious figure the "Hillside Strangler," a name that would later be revised to "Hillside Stranglers" when the truth unraveled to reveal not one, but two men behind the terror: cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. Their spree of violence claimed the lives of ten victims, leaving a city gripped in fear and a nation captivated by the gruesome saga.
The Perpetrators
Kenneth Alessio Bianchi was born on May 22, 1951, and would later be apprehended on January 12, 1979. Angelo Buono Jr., born on October 5, 1934, was arrested on October 22, 1979. Both men faced life imprisonment for their heinous acts. Buono's life ended in prison on September 21, 2002, at the age of 67, while Bianchi continues to serve his sentence in Washington.
The Crimes
The duo's malevolent activities began with the discovery of two strangled prostitutes on the hillsides surrounding Los Angeles. These wooded terrains became the final resting place for many young women, their bodies left naked and lifeless. The ages of their victims ranged from 12 to 28, each subjected to unimaginable horrors—rape, sodomy, beatings, and strangulation—before being disposed of in the hills. Bianchi and Buono employed a sinister tactic to ensnare their victims, masquerading as police officers to lure them to Buono's upholstery shop in Glendale, California, where most of the murders took place.
The terror escalated with the murders of five young women from middle-class neighborhoods, shedding light on the brutalities and earning the killers their infamous nickname. This string of murders caused widespread panic, gripping the city’s young women in fear. The killing spree came to an abrupt halt in February 1978, but not before claiming more lives. An exhaustive investigation ensued, initially yielding no results until Bianchi's arrest for the murder of two additional women in Washington linked him to the earlier crimes. To escape the death penalty, Bianchi confessed and implicated Buono, leading to his cousin's arrest.
A Trail of Victims
Yolanda Washington
The first victim, Yolanda Washington, a 19-year-old prostitute and part-time waitress known to frequent Sunset Boulevard, was discovered on October 18, 1977. Her naked body lay discarded near the Ventura Freeway, with signs of sexual assault, strangulation, and ligature marks evident on her neck, wrists, and ankles. Bianchi later recounted how they had picked her up on October 17, 1977, using Bianchi's car and a fake badge to detain her.
Judith Miller
Judith Lynn Miller's body was found on November 1, 1977, on Alta Terrace Drive in La Crescenta, a neighborhood not far from downtown Los Angeles. This 15-year-old runaway and former Hollywood High student bore the marks of a brutal end—bound, raped, and sodomized before her life was cruelly snuffed out. She had last been seen on Sunset Boulevard, talking to men posing as undercover officers.
Lissa Kastin
Five days later, on November 6, 1977, the body of 21-year-old Lissa Kastin, a waitress and professional dancer, was discovered near the Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Her lifeless form carried the familiar ligature marks, and she had been raped. Unlike previous victims, Kastin was not involved in the sex trade, highlighting the killers' indiscriminate cruelty. She was last seen leaving work, only to be stopped by men flashing a fake badge.
The Attempted Abduction of Catharine Lorre Baker
In a twist of fate, Catharine Lorre Baker, daughter of famed actor Peter Lorre, narrowly escaped becoming another victim. When confronted by the two men in early November 1977, her family connections prompted the killers to let her go, fearing the attention her disappearance would attract.
Dolores Cepeda and Sonja Johnson
On November 13, 1977, Dolores Ann "Dolly" Cepeda, 12, and Sonja Marie Johnson, 14, boarded a bus at Eagle Rock Plaza, unaware of the fate that awaited them. Their decomposed bodies were found a week later, on a hillside near Dodger Stadium, victims of rape and strangulation.
Kristina Weckler
The same day the two young girls were found, the body of 20-year-old Kristina Weckler, an honors student, was discovered on a hillside between Glendale and Eagle Rock. She had been raped and subjected to torturous injections of Windex, a cruel innovation in the killers' methods.
Evelyn Jane King
On November 23, 1977, the severely decomposed body of 28-year-old Evelyn Jane King was found near the Golden State Freeway. The extent of her decomposition obscured the full details of her suffering, but strangulation was evident.
Lauren Wagner
Eighteen-year-old Lauren Rae Wagner was found dead on November 29, 1977, her body bearing ligature marks and signs of torture. Witnesses reported seeing her abduction by two men, one tall and young, the other older with bushy hair, as she cried out in vain protest.
Kimberly Martin
On December 14, 1977, Kimberly Diane Martin, a 17-year-old prostitute, was lured from a call girl agency to her death. Her tortured body was found near Los Angeles City Hall, a grim reminder of the killers' reach.
Cindy Hudspeth
The final victim, 20-year-old Cindy Lee Hudspeth, was discovered on February 17, 1978, in the trunk of her car, which had been pushed off a cliff on the Angeles Crest Highway. Her murder marked the end of the terrifying spree.
The Investigation and Trial
The capture of Kenneth Bianchi in January 1979 marked a significant turning point in the investigation. He had fled to Bellingham, Washington, where he was arrested for raping and murdering two women. Bianchi attempted an insanity defense, claiming dissociative identity disorder, but under scrutiny from court psychologists, his deception unraveled. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Bianchi struck a deal, pleading guilty to avoid the death penalty and testifying against Buono.
The trial of Angelo Buono culminated in 1983, with Judge Ronald M. George lamenting the absence of a death penalty option. Both men received life sentences, reflecting the magnitude of their crimes. Today, Bianchi remains incarcerated, while Buono's life ended within prison walls in 2002.
Veronica Compton
A bizarre footnote to the case involved Veronica Compton, who, in 1980, became romantically entangled with Bianchi. She testified in his defense and attempted to stage a copycat crime using semen he had smuggled to her, though this plan ultimately failed.
The story of the Hillside Stranglers stands as a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity, a dark chapter in Los Angeles' history never to be forgotten.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the full Wikipedia entry: Hillside Strangler
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First Victim Found
The body of 19-year-old Yolanda Washington is discovered, marking the beginning of the Hillside Strangler murders.
Judith Miller Murdered
15-year-old Judith Miller is abducted and murdered, increasing media attention on the case.
Two Young Girls Abducted
12-year-old Dolores Cepeda and 14-year-old Sonja Johnson are abducted and later found dead, heightening public fear.
Final Victim Found
The body of 17-year-old Kimberly Martin is discovered, marking the last known murder attributed to the Hillside Stranglers.
Cindy Hudspeth Discovered
20-year-old Cindy Lee Hudspeth is found dead in her car trunk, concluding the series of murders.
Bianchi Arrested
Kenneth Bianchi is arrested in Washington for the murder of two women, leading to the connection with the Hillside Strangler case.
Buono Arrested
Angelo Buono is arrested after Bianchi implicates him in the Hillside Strangler murders.
Buono Convicted
Angelo Buono is convicted of nine murders and sentenced to life without parole.
Buono Dies in Prison
Angelo Buono dies in prison while serving his life sentence for the Hillside Strangler murders.
The Hillside Strangler case involves a series of brutal murders committed by cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. in Los Angeles, California, between October 16, 1977, and February 16, 1978. The duo targeted young women, primarily abducting them from middle-class neighborhoods and luring them under the guise of police officers, before sexually assaulting and strangling them, with their bodies later discarded on wooded hillsides. A total of ten victims were confirmed, with Bianchi later implicated in two additional murders. The investigation gained momentum following Bianchi's arrest on January 12, 1979, for unrelated murders in Washington, leading to his cooperation with authorities and the subsequent arrest of Buono on October 22, 1979. Both were convicted of multiple murders, with Bianchi receiving a life sentence and Buono also sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
The Hillside Stranglers are believed to have specifically targeted young women, often luring them by impersonating police officers. Some speculate that the killers may have had psychological issues stemming from their upbringing, contributing to their violent behaviors. Additionally, there are theories that the duo may have had a larger network or accomplices involved in their crimes, given the complexity and coordination required to carry out the murders.
The Hillside Stranglers: A Reign of Terror in Los Angeles
In the cool, crisp air of Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, an ominous presence loomed over the city. The media dubbed this mysterious figure the "Hillside Strangler," a name that would later be revised to "Hillside Stranglers" when the truth unraveled to reveal not one, but two men behind the terror: cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr. Their spree of violence claimed the lives of ten victims, leaving a city gripped in fear and a nation captivated by the gruesome saga.
The Perpetrators
Kenneth Alessio Bianchi was born on May 22, 1951, and would later be apprehended on January 12, 1979. Angelo Buono Jr., born on October 5, 1934, was arrested on October 22, 1979. Both men faced life imprisonment for their heinous acts. Buono's life ended in prison on September 21, 2002, at the age of 67, while Bianchi continues to serve his sentence in Washington.
The Crimes
The duo's malevolent activities began with the discovery of two strangled prostitutes on the hillsides surrounding Los Angeles. These wooded terrains became the final resting place for many young women, their bodies left naked and lifeless. The ages of their victims ranged from 12 to 28, each subjected to unimaginable horrors—rape, sodomy, beatings, and strangulation—before being disposed of in the hills. Bianchi and Buono employed a sinister tactic to ensnare their victims, masquerading as police officers to lure them to Buono's upholstery shop in Glendale, California, where most of the murders took place.
The terror escalated with the murders of five young women from middle-class neighborhoods, shedding light on the brutalities and earning the killers their infamous nickname. This string of murders caused widespread panic, gripping the city’s young women in fear. The killing spree came to an abrupt halt in February 1978, but not before claiming more lives. An exhaustive investigation ensued, initially yielding no results until Bianchi's arrest for the murder of two additional women in Washington linked him to the earlier crimes. To escape the death penalty, Bianchi confessed and implicated Buono, leading to his cousin's arrest.
A Trail of Victims
Yolanda Washington
The first victim, Yolanda Washington, a 19-year-old prostitute and part-time waitress known to frequent Sunset Boulevard, was discovered on October 18, 1977. Her naked body lay discarded near the Ventura Freeway, with signs of sexual assault, strangulation, and ligature marks evident on her neck, wrists, and ankles. Bianchi later recounted how they had picked her up on October 17, 1977, using Bianchi's car and a fake badge to detain her.
Judith Miller
Judith Lynn Miller's body was found on November 1, 1977, on Alta Terrace Drive in La Crescenta, a neighborhood not far from downtown Los Angeles. This 15-year-old runaway and former Hollywood High student bore the marks of a brutal end—bound, raped, and sodomized before her life was cruelly snuffed out. She had last been seen on Sunset Boulevard, talking to men posing as undercover officers.
Lissa Kastin
Five days later, on November 6, 1977, the body of 21-year-old Lissa Kastin, a waitress and professional dancer, was discovered near the Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. Her lifeless form carried the familiar ligature marks, and she had been raped. Unlike previous victims, Kastin was not involved in the sex trade, highlighting the killers' indiscriminate cruelty. She was last seen leaving work, only to be stopped by men flashing a fake badge.
The Attempted Abduction of Catharine Lorre Baker
In a twist of fate, Catharine Lorre Baker, daughter of famed actor Peter Lorre, narrowly escaped becoming another victim. When confronted by the two men in early November 1977, her family connections prompted the killers to let her go, fearing the attention her disappearance would attract.
Dolores Cepeda and Sonja Johnson
On November 13, 1977, Dolores Ann "Dolly" Cepeda, 12, and Sonja Marie Johnson, 14, boarded a bus at Eagle Rock Plaza, unaware of the fate that awaited them. Their decomposed bodies were found a week later, on a hillside near Dodger Stadium, victims of rape and strangulation.
Kristina Weckler
The same day the two young girls were found, the body of 20-year-old Kristina Weckler, an honors student, was discovered on a hillside between Glendale and Eagle Rock. She had been raped and subjected to torturous injections of Windex, a cruel innovation in the killers' methods.
Evelyn Jane King
On November 23, 1977, the severely decomposed body of 28-year-old Evelyn Jane King was found near the Golden State Freeway. The extent of her decomposition obscured the full details of her suffering, but strangulation was evident.
Lauren Wagner
Eighteen-year-old Lauren Rae Wagner was found dead on November 29, 1977, her body bearing ligature marks and signs of torture. Witnesses reported seeing her abduction by two men, one tall and young, the other older with bushy hair, as she cried out in vain protest.
Kimberly Martin
On December 14, 1977, Kimberly Diane Martin, a 17-year-old prostitute, was lured from a call girl agency to her death. Her tortured body was found near Los Angeles City Hall, a grim reminder of the killers' reach.
Cindy Hudspeth
The final victim, 20-year-old Cindy Lee Hudspeth, was discovered on February 17, 1978, in the trunk of her car, which had been pushed off a cliff on the Angeles Crest Highway. Her murder marked the end of the terrifying spree.
The Investigation and Trial
The capture of Kenneth Bianchi in January 1979 marked a significant turning point in the investigation. He had fled to Bellingham, Washington, where he was arrested for raping and murdering two women. Bianchi attempted an insanity defense, claiming dissociative identity disorder, but under scrutiny from court psychologists, his deception unraveled. Faced with overwhelming evidence, Bianchi struck a deal, pleading guilty to avoid the death penalty and testifying against Buono.
The trial of Angelo Buono culminated in 1983, with Judge Ronald M. George lamenting the absence of a death penalty option. Both men received life sentences, reflecting the magnitude of their crimes. Today, Bianchi remains incarcerated, while Buono's life ended within prison walls in 2002.
Veronica Compton
A bizarre footnote to the case involved Veronica Compton, who, in 1980, became romantically entangled with Bianchi. She testified in his defense and attempted to stage a copycat crime using semen he had smuggled to her, though this plan ultimately failed.
The story of the Hillside Stranglers stands as a chilling testament to the depths of human depravity, a dark chapter in Los Angeles' history never to be forgotten.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the full Wikipedia entry: Hillside Strangler
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 Victim Found
The body of 19-year-old Yolanda Washington is discovered, marking the beginning of the Hillside Strangler murders.
Judith Miller Murdered
15-year-old Judith Miller is abducted and murdered, increasing media attention on the case.
Two Young Girls Abducted
12-year-old Dolores Cepeda and 14-year-old Sonja Johnson are abducted and later found dead, heightening public fear.
Final Victim Found
The body of 17-year-old Kimberly Martin is discovered, marking the last known murder attributed to the Hillside Stranglers.
Cindy Hudspeth Discovered
20-year-old Cindy Lee Hudspeth is found dead in her car trunk, concluding the series of murders.
Bianchi Arrested
Kenneth Bianchi is arrested in Washington for the murder of two women, leading to the connection with the Hillside Strangler case.
Buono Arrested
Angelo Buono is arrested after Bianchi implicates him in the Hillside Strangler murders.
Buono Convicted
Angelo Buono is convicted of nine murders and sentenced to life without parole.
Buono Dies in Prison
Angelo Buono dies in prison while serving his life sentence for the Hillside Strangler murders.