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Horace Van Vaultz

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Horace Van Vaultz
Born (1955-05-21) May 21, 1955 (age 69)
Conviction(s)Murder (2 counts)
Criminal penalty2 life sentences without parole[1]
Details
Victims3
Span of crimes
1981–1986
CountryUnited States
State(s)California
Imprisoned atCalifornia State Prison, Corcoran[2]

Horace Van Vaultz Jr. (born May 21, 1955) is an American serial killer.[3][4][5]

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.[6][7][8] 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.[9][10][11]

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.[12]

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.[1][13] Vaultz maintains that he is innocent.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "California man convicted of 1980s rape-murders of two women with help of genealogy websites". CBS. August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  2. ^ Inmate Locator, inmate BU7697
  3. ^ A. L. Lee (August 19, 2022). "Jury convicts California serial killer Horace Vaultz, who eluded police for decades". United Press International. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  4. ^ "'Sexually motivated serial killer' convicted of killing two SoCal women in 1980s". KTTV. August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  5. ^ "California 'serial killer' convicted of 1980s rape-murders of two women". East Bay Times. August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  6. ^ James Queally (November 16, 2019). "DNA DATA LEAD TO ARREST IN 1980S SLAYINGS". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  7. ^ Olivia Jakiel (August 18, 2022). "Man Who 'Targeted Young Women' Convicted of Decades-Old Murders with Help of Investigative Genetic Genealogy". MSN. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  8. ^ "Man Arrested In Brutal 1980s Killings Of 2 Women In Burbank, Montclair Thanks To DNA Evidence". KCBS-TV. November 18, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  9. ^ "Genealogy search helps convict California man in 1980s rape, murder cases". NBC. August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "Man convicted in 2 California cold case killings linked to Ventura County slaying". Ventura County Star. August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  11. ^ Terri Vermeulen Keith (August 19, 2022). "Investigative genetic genealogy leads to man's conviction in 2 Southern California cold case murders". ABC News. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  12. ^ Allie Weintraub (March 6, 2020). "Do You Know These Women? Police Ask Public to Help Identify 21 Photos Found in Home of Accused Killer". Inside Edition. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "Man Sentenced for Cold Case Killings of Two SoCal Women in 1980s". NBC Los Angeles. September 19, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Terri Vermeulen Keith (August 19, 2022). "Man convicted in slayings of Reseda, San Bernardino". The Orange County Register. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
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