It’s 1978 in the Californian city of Stockton. Bob and Gay Hardwick, a couple in their twenties, are asleep in the early hours of the morning. Suddenly, they’re awoken by a bright light shining in their faces. A man is standing at the edge of their bed holding a gun, with a black ski mask covering his face. Over several hours, Gay Hardwick is sexually assaulted by the armed intruder, while Bob is tied up, unable to move. The man behind the mask would come to be known as the East Area Rapist, or the Golden State Killer, and for decades, he would evade police. 

In today’s episode, Jessie speaks with Andrew Rule. Andrew’s written about some of the biggest Australian crimes of the last 30 years and is currently acolumnist for  the Herald Sun, as well as host of his own podcast Life and Crimes with Andrew Rule. Andrew’s particularly interested in DNA tracing, which later became one of the most valuable tools to finding the Golden State Killer. 

CREDITS

Guest: Andrew Rule

Host: Jessie Stephens

Producer: Lem Zakharia and Hannah Bowman 

LINKS

• Watch ‘I’ll be Gone in the Dark’ on BINGE… https://binge.com.au/shows/show-i-ll-be-gone-in-the-dark!7063
• Andrew Rule’s book, Cuckoo… https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3617067-cuckoo

CONTACT US

Tell us what you think of the show via email at truecrime@mamamia.com.au  

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If any of the contents in this episode have cause distress know that there is help available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636