Overview of Rewind with Karen & Georgia — “118: Golden State Killer Caught!”
This episode of Rewind with Karen & Georgia revisits one of the most shocking moments in the history of My Favorite Murder: the April 2018 arrest of suspected Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo. Karen and Georgia relive the immediate, stunned reaction to the breaking news, reflect on the years of online sleuthing and speculation that led up to it, and discuss why the arrest felt so personal to them and to longtime listeners.
What Happened in the Original Episode
Breaking-news reaction
- The hosts remember the exact moment they learned the Golden State Killer had been caught.
- Their reaction is one of disbelief, excitement, and intense emotional release after years of following the case.
- They describe immediately jumping online to read Reddit threads, Twitter updates, and news reports.
Why the arrest felt so huge
- The case had been one of the most infamous unsolved serial crime cases in California.
- The arrest felt monumental because:
- it involved a 100% DNA match
- it spanned multiple jurisdictions
- it had haunted true crime followers for decades
- Karen and Georgia compare the feeling to a sports win, with fans finally seeing “their team” get justice.
Key Topics and Observations
Red string-board theories finally getting real answers
They revisit the many theories that had built up over the years, including:
- whether the killer had police training or police access
- whether he was connected to the towns where attacks occurred
- whether a tip or some other clue finally led investigators to him
- whether his odd behavior and past details were meaningful clues all along
Clues discussed in the episode
Some of the details they highlight or speculate about include:
- DeAngelo’s police background
- he had been an Auburn police officer in the 1970s
- this may have helped him avoid suspicion and understand law enforcement methods
- His shoplifting arrest
- he was reportedly dismissed from the Auburn Police Department after being caught stealing dog repellent and a hammer
- the hosts find this detail especially eerie and bizarre
- His physical profile
- they talk about his fitness, diving/swimming background, and how he may have used strength and agility in the crimes
- Possible links to “Bonnie”
- they discuss the reported statement “Fuck you, Bonnie,” believed to be connected to a former fiancée named Bonnie
- The dog repellent / smell theory
- they connect the smell of dog repellent to witness descriptions of a strange odor at crime scenes
- The possibility of him being present at town halls or other public moments
- they wonder if he may have hidden in plain sight during community discussions about the crimes
The emotional impact on victims and families
- The hosts emphasize that the most important part of the arrest is the relief it may bring to victims and their families.
- They note how long survivors had to live with the trauma, fear, and unanswered questions.
- They repeatedly stress that the point is justice, not internet credit or ego.
Later Updates and Resolution
How he was identified
The rewind segment adds a short update explaining that investigators ultimately used:
- DNA from his car door
- a tissue found in a trash can outside his house
- investigative genetic genealogy
Charges and conviction
- Joseph James DeAngelo was charged with:
- 13 counts of first-degree murder
- 13 counts of kidnapping to commit robbery
- He could not be charged for the sexual assaults or burglaries because of the statute of limitations.
- In June 2020, he pleaded guilty to all 26 charges in a deal that spared him the death penalty.
- He was sentenced to multiple consecutive life sentences without parole.
Documentary and public legacy
- The hosts mention the HBO docuseries I'll Be Gone in the Dark, which covers Michelle McNamara’s work, the investigation, and the aftermath.
- They also reflect on how Michelle McNamara’s naming and framing of the case helped bring broader public attention and momentum to the investigation.
Why This Episode Matters
- It captures a real-time true crime breakthrough as it unfolded.
- It highlights the power of:
- public attention
- persistent amateur sleuthing
- victim advocacy
- investigative genealogy
- It also shows how deeply this case affected not only survivors and investigators, but also the true crime community following it for years.
Notable Takeaways
- The arrest was a rare true-crime moment of collective shock and relief.
- Karen and Georgia credit both investigators and Michelle McNamara’s work for bringing the case to the forefront.
- The episode is less about glamouring the crime and more about finally seeing a monster identified after decades of fear.
- Even with the arrest, many questions remain about his full movements, motives, and possible additional victims.