Joseph Naso
California Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
California, United States
TIME PERIOD
1977-1994
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Joseph Naso, an American serial killer known as the "Double Initial Killer," was convicted of murdering at least four women between January 10, 1977, and August 14, 1994, primarily in California. His confirmed victims include 18-year-old Roxene Roggasch, 22-year-old Carmen Lorraine Colon, 56-year-old Sharileea Patton, and Sara Dylan, whose last sighting was linked to a Bob Dylan event. Naso was apprehended on April 11, 2011, in Reno, Nevada, and subsequently sentenced to death. Significant evidence against him included DNA links to the crime scenes and his history of interactions with the victims, which established a pattern of predatory behavior. The case remains active as Naso awaits execution on death row.
Joseph Naso is believed to have committed more murders beyond the four for which he was convicted, with some speculating the total could be as high as ten or more victims. Investigators have noted a pattern in his choice of victims, as they often had double initials, leading to his nickname, the "Double Initial Killer." Some theorize that Naso's history of petty crimes and erratic behavior may have contributed to his violent tendencies, suggesting a deeper psychological profile that could explain his actions.
The Double Initial Killer: Joseph Naso's Chilling Story
A Life Shaped by Darkness
Born on January 7, 1934, in Rochester, New York, Joseph Naso's early life gave little indication of the dark path he would later tread. Known to many as "Crazy Joe" or more infamously as the "Double Initial Killer," Naso's life was a tapestry woven with threads of violence and criminality. After serving in the United States Air Force during the 1950s, Naso's life seemed to follow a conventional trajectory when he married. This union lasted eighteen years, producing a son who would later struggle with schizophrenia, a condition that Naso would spend his later years managing. Following his divorce, Naso remained tethered to the San Francisco Bay Area, frequently visiting his ex-wife.
The 1970s found Naso taking classes at various colleges in San Francisco, while the 1980s saw him residing in the Mission District before moving to Piedmont, California. He continued his transient lifestyle, living in Sacramento from 1999 to 2003, and finally, settling in Reno, Nevada in 2004. His professional life as a freelance photographer belied a criminal penchant for petty theft, an activity he pursued well into his seventies, earning him the nickname "Crazy Joe" among acquaintances.
The Victims: A Pattern of Horror
Confirmed Victims
Joseph Naso's path of terror began with the murder of 18-year-old Roxene Roggasch Ashby. Her strangled body was discovered on January 10, 1977, near Fairfax, California, less than a day after her death. While police suspected she might have been involved in sex work, her family vehemently denied these claims.
A year later, on August 13, 1978, the body of 22-year-old Carmen Lorraine Colon was found along the Carquinez Scenic Highway. Her decomposing, nude body was uncovered by a Highway Patrol officer investigating reports of cattle shooting, just thirty miles from where Roxene's body had been found.
In January 1981, the body of 56-year-old Sharileea Patton washed ashore near the Naval Net Depot in Tiburon, California. A resident of the Bay Area at the time, Patton was known to have been seeking employment. Naso, who managed her residence and had taken a photograph of her, was considered a prime suspect, yet he evaded charges for three decades, offering only evasive responses to investigators.
The chilling saga continued with Sara Dylan, a Bob Dylan groupie originally named Renee Shapiro. She vanished on her way to a Dylan concert at the Warfield theater in San Francisco in May 1992, only to be found murdered in or near Nevada County, California.
Pamela Ruth Parsons, a 38-year-old waitress, became another victim in this grim tale. Her body was discovered on September 19, 1993, in Yuba County, California, near Cooper Avenue in Yuba City, where Naso resided at the time.
Tracy Lynn Tafoya, aged 31, was found dead on August 14, 1994, also in Yuba County. Naso had drugged, raped, and strangled her, leaving her body near the Marysville Cemetery, where it lay undiscovered for a week.
Suspected Victims
The body of the "Sonoma County Jane Doe" was found on January 24, 1983, by a gardener in Healdsburg, California. Her headless, decomposed remains were later identified through DNA extraction, but her identity remains unknown. Investigators suspected a link to Naso, as a "rape diary" found in his possession mentioned a "girl in Healdsburg."
Naso was also scrutinized in connection with the infamous Rochester Alphabet Murders, given that several of his victims shared the pattern of double initials, much like the victims in Rochester. Despite being a New York native and residing in Rochester during the early 1970s, DNA evidence cleared him of involvement in these murders.
Arrest and Trial: The Net Closes In
In April 2010, Nevada parole and probation authorities apprehended Joseph Naso. The subsequent search of his home unearthed a handwritten diary, listing ten unnamed women with corresponding geographic locations. The diary excerpts detailed how Naso stalked, sexually assaulted, and photographed his victims alongside mannequin parts, capturing their final moments in grotesque artistry.
On April 11, 2011, Naso faced charges for the murders of Roxene Roggasch Ashby, Carmen Lorraine Colon, Pamela Ruth Parsons, and Tracy Lynn Tafoya. Prosecutors Dori Ahana and Rosemary Sloat introduced evidence linking Naso to additional victims, Sharileea Patton and Sara Dylan. Despite Naso’s claims to the contrary, the police categorized all four confirmed victims as prostitutes.
The Marin County jury convicted Naso of these heinous acts on August 20, 2013, leading to his sentencing to death on November 22, 2013. The courtroom echoed with the chilling reminder of the lives lost and the twisted mind responsible for these crimes.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Joseph Naso.
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Arrest of Joseph Naso
Naso arrested in Reno; evidence including a rape diary leads to charges.
Conviction
Naso convicted of the murders of four women by a Marin County jury.
Sentencing
Joseph Naso sentenced to death for the murders.
First Confirmed Murder
Roxene Roggasch Ashby found dead, marking the start of Naso's killing spree.
Second Confirmed Murder
Carmen Lorraine Colon's body discovered along Carquinez Scenic Highway.
Third Confirmed Murder
Sharileea Patton's body washes ashore; Naso is a prime suspect.
Fourth Confirmed Murder
Pamela Ruth Parsons found dead in Yuba County, linked to Naso.
Fifth Confirmed Murder
Tracy Lynn Tafoya found dead; last known victim of Naso.
Joseph Naso, an American serial killer known as the "Double Initial Killer," was convicted of murdering at least four women between January 10, 1977, and August 14, 1994, primarily in California. His confirmed victims include 18-year-old Roxene Roggasch, 22-year-old Carmen Lorraine Colon, 56-year-old Sharileea Patton, and Sara Dylan, whose last sighting was linked to a Bob Dylan event. Naso was apprehended on April 11, 2011, in Reno, Nevada, and subsequently sentenced to death. Significant evidence against him included DNA links to the crime scenes and his history of interactions with the victims, which established a pattern of predatory behavior. The case remains active as Naso awaits execution on death row.
Joseph Naso is believed to have committed more murders beyond the four for which he was convicted, with some speculating the total could be as high as ten or more victims. Investigators have noted a pattern in his choice of victims, as they often had double initials, leading to his nickname, the "Double Initial Killer." Some theorize that Naso's history of petty crimes and erratic behavior may have contributed to his violent tendencies, suggesting a deeper psychological profile that could explain his actions.
The Double Initial Killer: Joseph Naso's Chilling Story
A Life Shaped by Darkness
Born on January 7, 1934, in Rochester, New York, Joseph Naso's early life gave little indication of the dark path he would later tread. Known to many as "Crazy Joe" or more infamously as the "Double Initial Killer," Naso's life was a tapestry woven with threads of violence and criminality. After serving in the United States Air Force during the 1950s, Naso's life seemed to follow a conventional trajectory when he married. This union lasted eighteen years, producing a son who would later struggle with schizophrenia, a condition that Naso would spend his later years managing. Following his divorce, Naso remained tethered to the San Francisco Bay Area, frequently visiting his ex-wife.
The 1970s found Naso taking classes at various colleges in San Francisco, while the 1980s saw him residing in the Mission District before moving to Piedmont, California. He continued his transient lifestyle, living in Sacramento from 1999 to 2003, and finally, settling in Reno, Nevada in 2004. His professional life as a freelance photographer belied a criminal penchant for petty theft, an activity he pursued well into his seventies, earning him the nickname "Crazy Joe" among acquaintances.
The Victims: A Pattern of Horror
Confirmed Victims
Joseph Naso's path of terror began with the murder of 18-year-old Roxene Roggasch Ashby. Her strangled body was discovered on January 10, 1977, near Fairfax, California, less than a day after her death. While police suspected she might have been involved in sex work, her family vehemently denied these claims.
A year later, on August 13, 1978, the body of 22-year-old Carmen Lorraine Colon was found along the Carquinez Scenic Highway. Her decomposing, nude body was uncovered by a Highway Patrol officer investigating reports of cattle shooting, just thirty miles from where Roxene's body had been found.
In January 1981, the body of 56-year-old Sharileea Patton washed ashore near the Naval Net Depot in Tiburon, California. A resident of the Bay Area at the time, Patton was known to have been seeking employment. Naso, who managed her residence and had taken a photograph of her, was considered a prime suspect, yet he evaded charges for three decades, offering only evasive responses to investigators.
The chilling saga continued with Sara Dylan, a Bob Dylan groupie originally named Renee Shapiro. She vanished on her way to a Dylan concert at the Warfield theater in San Francisco in May 1992, only to be found murdered in or near Nevada County, California.
Pamela Ruth Parsons, a 38-year-old waitress, became another victim in this grim tale. Her body was discovered on September 19, 1993, in Yuba County, California, near Cooper Avenue in Yuba City, where Naso resided at the time.
Tracy Lynn Tafoya, aged 31, was found dead on August 14, 1994, also in Yuba County. Naso had drugged, raped, and strangled her, leaving her body near the Marysville Cemetery, where it lay undiscovered for a week.
Suspected Victims
The body of the "Sonoma County Jane Doe" was found on January 24, 1983, by a gardener in Healdsburg, California. Her headless, decomposed remains were later identified through DNA extraction, but her identity remains unknown. Investigators suspected a link to Naso, as a "rape diary" found in his possession mentioned a "girl in Healdsburg."
Naso was also scrutinized in connection with the infamous Rochester Alphabet Murders, given that several of his victims shared the pattern of double initials, much like the victims in Rochester. Despite being a New York native and residing in Rochester during the early 1970s, DNA evidence cleared him of involvement in these murders.
Arrest and Trial: The Net Closes In
In April 2010, Nevada parole and probation authorities apprehended Joseph Naso. The subsequent search of his home unearthed a handwritten diary, listing ten unnamed women with corresponding geographic locations. The diary excerpts detailed how Naso stalked, sexually assaulted, and photographed his victims alongside mannequin parts, capturing their final moments in grotesque artistry.
On April 11, 2011, Naso faced charges for the murders of Roxene Roggasch Ashby, Carmen Lorraine Colon, Pamela Ruth Parsons, and Tracy Lynn Tafoya. Prosecutors Dori Ahana and Rosemary Sloat introduced evidence linking Naso to additional victims, Sharileea Patton and Sara Dylan. Despite Naso’s claims to the contrary, the police categorized all four confirmed victims as prostitutes.
The Marin County jury convicted Naso of these heinous acts on August 20, 2013, leading to his sentencing to death on November 22, 2013. The courtroom echoed with the chilling reminder of the lives lost and the twisted mind responsible for these crimes.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the original Wikipedia article: Joseph Naso.
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
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Arrest of Joseph Naso
Naso arrested in Reno; evidence including a rape diary leads to charges.
Conviction
Naso convicted of the murders of four women by a Marin County jury.
Sentencing
Joseph Naso sentenced to death for the murders.
First Confirmed Murder
Roxene Roggasch Ashby found dead, marking the start of Naso's killing spree.
Second Confirmed Murder
Carmen Lorraine Colon's body discovered along Carquinez Scenic Highway.
Third Confirmed Murder
Sharileea Patton's body washes ashore; Naso is a prime suspect.
Fourth Confirmed Murder
Pamela Ruth Parsons found dead in Yuba County, linked to Naso.
Fifth Confirmed Murder
Tracy Lynn Tafoya found dead; last known victim of Naso.