Horace Van Vaultz Explained

Horace Van Vaultz
Birth Date:21 May 1955
Conviction:Murder (2 counts)
Sentence:2 life sentences without parole
Victims:3
Beginyear:1981
Endyear:1986
Country:United States
States:California
Imprisoned:California State Prison, Corcoran[1]

Horace Van Vaultz Jr. (born May 21, 1955) is an American serial killer.[2] [3] [4]

He was arrested on November 15, 2019, and charged with the 1981 murder of Selena Keough, 20, in Montclair, California, and the 1986 murder of Mary Duggan, 22, in Burbank, California.[5] [6] [7] The cases had gone unsolved for decades until a DNA breakthrough exposed his involvement. The same DNA also proved Vaultz's responsibility in the 1986 murder of Janna Rowe, 25, in Ventura, California, a murder he was originally acquitted of in 1988.[8] [9] [10]

A search of Vaultz's house in Bakersfield revealed a collection of numerous photographs of young women and teenage girls, some of whom police suspect were murdered by Vaultz. Two of the women in the photographs have been identified and confirmed to be still alive.[11]

Vaultz was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder on August 18, 2022. He was subsequently sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison without parole on September 19, 2022.[12] [13] Vaultz maintains that he is innocent.[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/Details.aspx?ID=BU7697 Inmate Locator
  2. Web site: Jury convicts California serial killer Horace Vaultz, who eluded police for decades . A. L. Lee . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022.
  3. News: 'Sexually motivated serial killer' convicted of killing two SoCal women in 1980s . . August 18, 2022 . August 19, 2022 .
  4. News: California 'serial killer' convicted of 1980s rape-murders of two women . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022 .
  5. Web site: DNA DATA LEAD TO ARREST IN 1980S SLAYINGS . James Queally . . November 16, 2019 . August 19, 2022.
  6. Web site: Man Who 'Targeted Young Women' Convicted of Decades-Old Murders with Help of Investigative Genetic Genealogy . Olivia Jakiel . . August 18, 2022 . August 19, 2022.
  7. News: Man Arrested In Brutal 1980s Killings Of 2 Women In Burbank, Montclair Thanks To DNA Evidence . . November 18, 2019 . August 19, 2022 .
  8. News: Genealogy search helps convict California man in 1980s rape, murder cases . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022 .
  9. News: Man convicted in 2 California cold case killings linked to Ventura County slaying . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022 .
  10. Web site: Investigative genetic genealogy leads to man's conviction in 2 Southern California cold case murders . Terri Vermeulen Keith . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022.
  11. Web site: Do You Know These Women? Police Ask Public to Help Identify 21 Photos Found in Home of Accused Killer . Allie Weintraub . . March 6, 2020 . August 19, 2022.
  12. News: California man convicted of 1980s rape-murders of two women with help of genealogy websites . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022 .
  13. News: Man Sentenced for Cold Case Killings of Two SoCal Women in 1980s . . September 19, 2022 . September 19, 2022 .
  14. Web site: Man convicted in slayings of Reseda, San Bernardino . Terri Vermeulen Keith . . August 19, 2022 . August 19, 2022.

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