'You Did It, Michelle': Patton Oswalt Wants Killer to Answer Late Wife's Questions
"Not to gloat or gawk — to ask him the questions" that Michelle McNamara wanted answered in her "Letter To An Old Man" at the end of her book, Patton Oswalt wrote on Twitter
By Kiki Intarasuwan ••
“Not to gloat or gawk — to ask him the questions” that Michelle McNamara wanted answered in her “Letter To An Old Man” at the end of her book, Patton Oswalt wrote on Twitter.
"You’re long past leaping over a fence. Take one of your hyper, gulping breaths. Clench your teeth. Inch timidly toward the insistent bell. This is how it ends for you."
These are the words of Michelle McNamara, a mystery writer who coined the name "Golden State Killer" and the late wife of comedian Patton Oswalt, written toward the Golden State Killer — a man allegedly responsible for approximately 45 rapes and 12 murders in California whose identity was unknown until Wednesday.
McNamara was fascinated with unsolved mysteries and obsessed with the Golden State Killer, also known as the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker (EAR/ONS). She authored "I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer" but she died in 2016 at age 46 before she could finish the book.
Oswalt stepped in to help realize his late-wife's vision and the book was finally published in February. Now, the suspect for the crimes has been arrested, according to law enforcement sources. And Oswalt said he would like to speak to the Golden State Killer.
"Not to gloat or gawk — to ask him the questions" that McNamara wanted answered in her "Letter To An Old Man" at the end of her book, Oswalt wrote on Twitter.
An ex-police officer named Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, who appears to fit the description of the elusive California killer, was arrested overnight on two murder charges by police in Sacramento, just two days into the filming of the documentary on the gruesome crimes, according to Oswalt.
FBI
Between 1976 and 1986, the violent and elusive individual known as the East Area Rapist and later as the Original Night Stalker and the Golden State Killer, committed 12 homicides, 45 rapes, and more than 120 residential in multiple California communities, the FBI said. He often wore ski masks like the ones shown here in evidence at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
FBI
The FBI has released these three sketches in their search for the Golden State Killer/East Area Rapist they say committed at least 12 homicides, 45 rapes and dozens of burglaries across California in the 1970s and 1980s.
FBI
FBI Special Agent Marcus Knutson and Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Deputy Paige Kneeland search for evidence in the East Area Rapist case in the sheriff's department evidence room. A renewed effort to apprehend the subject has been announced, along with a $50,000 reward on Wednesday, June 15, 2016.
FBI
Burglaries and rapes began occurring in middle-class neighborhoods in the eastern district of Sacramento County - hence the name East Area Rapist - in the summer of 1976. The levee behind this fence led to area of thick brush and the American River, which the subject often used to make his escape, the FBI said.
FBI
This Sacramento neighborhood was the scene of multiple burglaries, sexual assaults and a double homicide committed by the East Area Rapist, the FBI said.
FBI
Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, were on an evening walk with their dog in their Rancho Cordova neighborhood on Feb. 2, 1978, when they were chased down and murdered by the East Area Rapist, the FBI said.
FBI
On Feb. 2, 1978, Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, were on an evening walk with their dog in their Rancho Cordova neighborhood when they were chased down and murdered by the East Area Rapist, the FBI said. Volumes of reports about the murder investigation are contained in the evidence room at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
FBI
Evidence found at the site of Brian and Katie Maggiore's murder. The shoelace was tied in a double-loop, which could be used like handcuffs or restraints, like those used by the East Area Rapist, the FBI said. "This kind of threw a whole different light on this rape series," said Ray Biondi, a Sacramento County Sheriff's Department detective who investigated the murder. "We have the rape series, do we also have now a violent criminal who is killing people?
FBI
Ray Biondi, a retired Sacramento County Sheriff's Department detective who investigated the murder of Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, which was linked to the Bay Area Rapist. "It's mind boggling that he committed so many crimes without a slip up," the veteran detective said. Biondi still believes that the rapist can be brought to justice.
Among the evidence collected in the cold case are fingerprints lifted from the crime scene, shoe treads and DNA, the FBI said. Although there were no tests for DNA matching at the time of the crimes, investigators can now use that technology to rule out suspects and to verify the killer's identity.
FBI
The East Area Rapist took items from his crime scenes - coins and jewelry in particular, the FBI said. Shown is a sketch and details of a ring he took from one of his many victims.
FBI
Evidence at the scene of one of the East Area Rapist's attack.
FBI
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department Deputy Paige Kneeland sorts through reams of evidence in the East Area Rapist case.
He added that police "are never gonna say it but your book helped get this thing closed."
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones had said earlier in the day that McNamara's work had "kept interest in tips coming in" but that "there was no information extracted from that book that directly led to the apprehension," The Associated Press reported.
Speaking on Meyers, Oswalt said news of the arrest "feels like this thing that she wanted so badly is now done."
Fans of McNamara also praised her work and contribution on social media after the details of the arrest were reported. Many lament how McNamara died before she got to see the results of the life's work.
"It is heartbreaking that Michelle McNamara did not live to see her lifelong pursuit bear fruit," wrote actor James Woods.
It is heartbreaking that Michelle McNamara did not live to see her lifelong pursuit bear fruit. Congratulations to @pattonoswalt for completing her work and staying vigilant in a cause to which she devoted so much of her life. #GoldenStateKillerhttps://t.co/GB3TiDiKMT
