Who was Rodney Alcala?

Rodney Alcala was a convicted serial killer, rapist, and child predator who operated from the late 1960s through the 1970s. He was dubbed the “Dating Game Killer” after appearing on the TV show while actively murdering women.

How many people did Rodney Alcala kill?

He was convicted of seven murders , but law enforcement believes he may have killed as many as 130 .

What happened on The Dating Game?

In 1978, Alcala appeared as a contestant on ABC’s The Dating Game . He won the date, but the woman — Cheryl Bradshaw — declined to go out with him after sensing he was dangerous.

Who survived Rodney Alcala?

Tali Shapiro , abducted and assaulted at age 8, survived and later testified against him. Morgan Rowan and other unidentified women also escaped his traps and later recognized themselves in his photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T2vHt-9dnQ

What happened to the photographs?

Over 1,700 photos were found in Alcala’s storage locker. Many depict women and girls. The FBI released over 100 images publicly; dozens remain unidentified.

Is Rodney Alcala dead?

Yes. He died of natural causes on July 24, 2021 , on California’s death row.

Rodney Alcala: The serial killer who charmed America, raped over 100 women, and walked free

- He was a game show winner. A war veteran. A UCLA graduate.
- But behind the lens, Rodney Alcala photographed death — and fooled an entire country.

By Amanda Graham

June 7, 2025

rodney alcala, cross examination, trial closeup, serial killer in court, courtroom image, rodney alcala interrogation, dating game killer — Rodney Alcala, accused serial killer and “Dating Game” contestant, appears in Orange County Superior Court during a pretrial hearing in Santa Ana, California, on January 11, 2010. [PHOTO: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images]

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Amanda Graham

News staff at The Eastern Herald. Writing and publishing news on the economy, politics, business, and current affairs from around the world.

Rodney Alcala: The serial killer who charmed America, raped over 100 women, and walked free

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