He appeared on a national dating show while a serial killer, and won.
Rodney Alcala was an American serial killer convicted of murdering at least five women and girls in the 1970s, though investigators believe he may be responsible for many more. He became infamous decades later for having appeared as a contestant on "The Dating Game" during his killing spree.
Early Life
Alcala was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1943. His father left the family when he was a child, and his mother later moved him and his sisters to Los Angeles. He briefly served in the Army before being medically discharged after being diagnosed with a severe antisocial personality disorder. He went on to earn a fine arts degree from UCLA in 1968, the same year he committed his first known violent crime.
The Attack on Tali Shapiro
In 1968, Alcala lured 8-year-old Tali Shapiro into his car and severely assaulted her at his apartment. A witness's report led police to the scene, where they found her critically injured; Alcala had already fled. Evidence found in his apartment linked him to UCLA and included photographs of young girls. He changed his name and enrolled in film school in New York, evading capture for years, including a period working at a girls' summer camp, before being recognized from an FBI wanted poster and arrested. Because the young victim was unable to testify by the time of trial, prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty to a lesser assault charge rather than the original charges.
A Pattern Continues
After a separate short prison stint related to providing drugs to a minor, Alcala returned to Los Angeles and began a string of murders, generally approaching young women and girls under the guise of being a professional photographer offering to take their portraits. His confirmed murder victims include Jill Barcomb, Charlotte Lamb, Jill Parenteau, Georgia Wixted, and 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, whose murder led to his arrest.
A Disturbing Collection
When police searched a storage unit connected to Alcala, they found hundreds of photographs of women and girls, along with personal items believed taken from victims. Investigators have said they believe his actual victim count may be far higher than the murders he was formally convicted of.
Trial and Sentencing
Alcala's first two convictions were overturned on appeal by the California Supreme Court over procedural issues. At his eventual trial, he represented himself for part of the proceedings and, in an unusual moment, sang part of Arlo Guthrie's song "Alice's Restaurant" to the jury in an attempt to sway them. He was convicted and sentenced to death.
The Dating Game
In 1978, during his period of active offending, Alcala appeared as a contestant on the television dating show "The Dating Game," introduced as an accomplished photographer. He won the segment and a date with contestant Cheryl Bradshaw, who later said she declined to actually go out with him after finding him unsettling. A fellow contestant separately described him as "a very weird guy" with "odd opinions."
Later Identifications and Death
In the years following his conviction, investigators used the photographs recovered from his storage unit to identify several previously unknown victims and additional charges in other states, given the belief his true victim count extended well beyond his original convictions. Alcala died in prison in California on July 24, 2021, of natural causes, while still on death row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rodney Alcala still alive?
No. He died in prison in July 2021.
How many people did Rodney Alcala actually kill?
He was formally convicted of murdering five people, but investigators believe, based on photographs and other evidence recovered, that his true victim count was likely much higher.
Did he really appear on a dating show while committing murders?
Yes. He appeared on "The Dating Game" in 1978 during his period of active offending and won the segment, though the winning contestant later declined to date him.