FBI Launches Campaign to Crack 30-Year-Old East Area Rapist Case

The FBI launched a publicity campaign about the East Area Rapist on Wednesday, June 15, in the hopes to crack the 30-year-old cold case. The East Area Rapist, also known as the Original Night Stalker, committed 12 homicides, 45 rapes and more than 120 residential burglaries in multiple California communities between 1976 and 1986, according to the FBI.

Officials also said there is a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the suspect.

The FBI said the suspect would be approximately 60-75 years old if he is still alive. Officials described him as a white male, close to six feet tall, with blonde or light brown hair and an athletic build. The suspect may have an interest or training in military or law enforcement techniques and was proficient with firearms, the FBI said.

The FBI released a series of videos about the case, including interviews with survivors and with the investigators. Credit: YouTube/FBI