Highlights
- Rodney Alcala, known as The Dating Game killer, appeared on the show in 1978.
- Officials believe his victim count exceeds 130, with only eight confirmed.
- Investigators found hundreds of photographs in a Seattle storage locker.
- His crimes date back to 1968, involving attacks on women and girls.
- Alcala evaded capture by frequently changing his identity and location.
Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour sheds light on Rodney Alcala, infamous as The Dating Game Killer. The movie depicts Alcala’s crimes and explores the estimated number of victims.
Despite authorities believing the count to be over 130, the officially confirmed cases are far fewer.
The movie shows Alcala’s disturbing charm during his appearance on The Dating Game and the crimes that occurred around that time.
It ends with an epilogue, revealing his suspected victim count of over 130, based on numerous photographs police found during their investigations.
How Authorities Uncovered Alcala’s Crimes
When Rodney Alcala was arrested in 1979, police found hundreds of photographs in a Seattle storage locker. Hoping to identify more victims, these photos were released to the public.
Alcala’s use of different identities and frequent relocations made it hard for authorities to connect all his crimes. Yet eventually, enough evidence was found to bring him to justice.
Rodney Alcala’s Confirmed Victims Are Fewer Than Suspected
Even though police believe Alcala had over 130 victims, only eight have been officially confirmed. His string of crimes began in 1968 when he attacked a young girl.
In 2021, Morgan Rowan revealed that Alcala had assaulted her at age 16. She was rescued by friends who broke into his apartment and stopped the assault.
Alcala’s final confirmed victim was 12-year-old Robin Christine Samsoe, who disappeared while returning home from ballet class.
Her case helped provide key evidence for Alcala’s arrest. Despite not having proof for all his crimes, there was enough to convict him of several offenses, including five counts of first-degree murder.
Alcala’s Criminal Past Before The Dating Game
Long before his appearance on The Dating Game in 1978, Rodney Alcala had a dark history of violent crimes.
He was even on the FBI’s Most Wanted list in 1971, after murdering Cornelia Crilley, a flight attendant. In 1977, Ellen Jane Hover went missing, and her remains were found a year later.
Despite his criminal history, Alcala was selected as a contestant on The Dating Game because background checks were not standard at the time.
He charmed the audience but continued his crimes in secret. The film, Woman of the Hour, highlights how Alcala managed to evade detection and continue his violent spree.
Crimes Uncovered After Alcala’s Arrest
Rodney Alcala’s arrest revealed the shocking extent of his actions. While authorities believe the actual count of his victims to be over 130, confirmed cases remain significantly lower.
Woman of the Hour highlights the impact of Alcala’s crimes on many lives and highlights the systemic flaws that allowed him to operate for so long.
Authorities estimate Alcala’s victims to exceed 130, but only eight have been confirmed.
