Trailside Killer

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Californians were terrorized by multiple killers including notorious serial killers like the Zodiac Killer, the Hillside Stranglers, Herbert Mullin, and Ed Kemper. While the decade may have ended with these killers disappearing or apprehended, the threat of violence and murder simply moved north.... Throughout the 1960s and 70s, from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Californians were terrorized by multiple killers including notorious serial killers like the Zodiac Killer, the Hillside Stranglers, Herbert Mullin, and Ed Kemper. While the decade may have ended with these killers disappearing or apprehended, the threat of violence and murder simply moved north. Though less known than his contemporaries, David Carpenter was no less prolific and frightening a killer than those men mentioned above. Nicknamed “The Trailside Killer” by the press, Carpenter terrorized Point Reyes and Santa Cruz County for a decade, assaulting, kidnapping, and killing at least eight people, but he was suspected of more. Like those other killers, Carpenter had a long history of violent and antisocial behavior going back to his childhood, including multiple arrests and incarcerations. How was it that a man with such an alarming history of violence could go uncaught for a decade? Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support! References Associated Press. 1980. "Trail Killer will strike again." Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 1: 1. Burkhardt, Bill. 1979. "Woman found murdered on Mt. Tam." San Francisco Examiner, August 21: 1. Graysmith, Robert. 1990. The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate. New York, NY: Onyx. Keraghosian, Greg. 2020. "'Do not hike alone': For 21 months, the Trailside Killer terrorized Bay Area's outdoors." San Francisco Chronicle, October 25. Leader, Lewis. 1980. "Identification ends dad's long quest." San Francisco Examiner, December 2: 2. San Francisco Examiner. 1960. "MP's shots foil attack on woman." San Francisco Examiner, July 13: 1. —. 1961. "Presidio attacker gets 14 yrs." San Francisco Examiner, March 10: 11. —. 1960. "Sex case insanity plea." San Francisco Examiner, October 8: 5. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 1970. "Boulder Creek girl attacked." Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 29: 22. —. 1970. "Grand jury indicts con." Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 17: 7. —. 1970. "SLV kidnap suspect flees Calaveras jail." Santa Cruz Sentinel, April 27: 1. The People v. Carpenter. 1997. S004654 (Superior Court of Los Angeles County, April 28). The People vs. David Carpenter. 1999. S006547 (Superior Court of San Diego County, November 29). Todd, John. 1980. "Tam closed in hunt for clues." San Francisco Examiner, October 16: 1. Show moreShow less

In Part 2 of this 3-part mini-series, I’ll continue the story about a random series of attacks that took place on hiking trails in northern California beginning in 1979, soon after David Carpenter was released from prison for an earlier violent crime spree. After three women were found murdered on Mount Tamalpais, investigators began to suspect that a serial killer was on the loose and targeting local hikers.... In Part 2 of this 3-part mini-series, I’ll continue the story about a random series of attacks that took place on hiking trails in northern California beginning in 1979, soon after David Carpenter was released from prison for an earlier violent crime spree. After three women were found murdered on Mount Tamalpais, investigators began to suspect that a serial killer was on the loose and targeting local hikers. This is the case of “The Trailside Killer”. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. “The Frightening Case of the Trailside Killer”, Strange Outdoors, November 27, 2020. Links: Website: www.truecrimepodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/onceuponacrime See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Show moreShow less

This is a double episode to conclude the month-long miniseries where I detail the case of serial killer David Carpenter, known as “The Trailside Killer”. Carpenter stalked and killed men and women on the hiking trails of Marin County, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.... This is a double episode to conclude the month-long miniseries where I detail the case of serial killer David Carpenter, known as “The Trailside Killer”. Carpenter stalked and killed men and women on the hiking trails of Marin County, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Other suspected victims would disappear from San Jose and Daly City, California. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. “The Frightening Case of the Trailside Killer”, Strange Outdoors, November 27, 2020. “DNA ties Trailside Killer to ‘79 SF Slaying”, Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle, Feb 24, 2010. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Show moreShow less

This month I’ll be sharing a 3-part miniseries. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Northern California was terrorized by a series of random murders that took place on hiking trails in state parks, national forests and coastal lands.... This month I’ll be sharing a 3-part miniseries. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Northern California was terrorized by a series of random murders that took place on hiking trails in state parks, national forests and coastal lands. The public began to suspect that a serial killer was lurking among them and the media began referring to him as “The Trailside Killer”. In this first part, I’ll detail some of the Trailside Killers earliest victims and describe how he was allowed to slip through the cracks in the criminal justice system and set loose to stalk and kill more than ten people. Resources: The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate by Robert Graysmith, Penguin Books, (1990) People v. Carpenter, Supreme Court of California, Nov 29, 1999. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Show moreShow less

On August 19 in 1979 Edda Kane went for a hike in a scenic park that overlooked the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Usually Edda would enjoy these hikes with a friend or two but on this particular day, no one wanted to go with her.... On August 19 in 1979 Edda Kane went for a hike in a scenic park that overlooked the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Usually Edda would enjoy these hikes with a friend or two but on this particular day, no one wanted to go with her. When Edda did not return home at the time she was expected, her husband called police. Worried that perhaps she fell and hurt herself, the police put together a search team but sadly, they could not locate her. Her body was found the next day, she had been murdered. What authorities did not yet know was this vicious predator was just getting started his stalking in California’s parks. Join Jen and Cam on Day 7 of the 12 Nightmares Before Christmas as we discuss ‘Trailside Killer: David Carpenter’ on this Our True Crime Podcast. Listener Discretion is by our favorite Frosty the Snowman Edward Octoberpod from @octoberpodVHS.Our music is from our bestest snowman ever Nico @wetalkofdreams. Nico also executive produces the podcast.Sources:Graysmith, Robert (April 3, 1991), The Sleeping Lady: The Trailside Murders Above the Golden Gate, Onyx, ISBN 978-0451402554http://law.justia.com/cases/california/supreme-court/4th/21/1016.htmlhttp://travel.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/travel/echoes-of-the-savage-and-sublime-on-mount-tamalpais.htmlhttps://www.aetv.com/real-crime/david-carpenter-serial-killer-trailside-killer-californiahttp://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/david_carpenter/12.htmlhttps://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/carpenter-david-joseph.htmhttps://listverse.com/2019/08/06/10-awful-facts-about-the-trailside-killer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Show moreShow less

The Trailside Killer emptied State and National Park trails in the Northern California area in the late 1970s and early 1980s as it was no longer a safe place to be. Male or female, alone or in a group.... The Trailside Killer emptied State and National Park trails in the Northern California area in the late 1970s and early 1980s as it was no longer a safe place to be. Male or female, alone or in a group. With a dog or without one. It seemed that no one was safe even in broad daylight. With the help of a spot on profile by founding FBI profiler John Douglas and the gut instinct of a young woman that unfortunately did fall victim to this man, David Carpenter's killing spree was brought to an end and he currently sits as the oldest living inmate on death row in San Quentin. Show moreShow less

For three years, a mass murderer roamed the western United States, stalking and snatching innocent victims from state parks in California. Join True CrimeCast as we explore a listener-suggested case involving the brutal murders and other violent offenses of David Joseph Carpenter, also known as the Trailside Killer.... For three years, a mass murderer roamed the western United States, stalking and snatching innocent victims from state parks in California. Join True CrimeCast as we explore a listener-suggested case involving the brutal murders and other violent offenses of David Joseph Carpenter, also known as the Trailside Killer. Who were his victims, and why did he spend years terrifying the general public? Did his victims ever receive the justice they deserve? Find out now on True Crimecast.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crimecast--4106013/support. Show moreShow less