Cold Case Files: REOPENED - Midnight Attacker

Hosted by Paula Barros

Introduction

In the "REOPENED: Midnight Attacker" episode of Cold Case Files, host Brooke Giddings delves into one of Long Beach, California's most harrowing unsolved cases. Spanning nearly a decade, this episode chronicles the relentless pursuit of justice for 18 women who fell victim to a serial rapist known as the Belmont Shore Rapist. Despite extensive investigations and initial breakthroughs, the case remained cold until a combination of perseverance and advancements in forensic technology led to the perpetrator's eventual capture.

The Initial Attack

The saga begins with the traumatic incident experienced by a woman we'll call Jane.

• [02:57] Jane: "I went out to return a video, and I noticed that the deadbolt had been tampered with."

On a typical evening around 9:30 PM, Jane left her home to return a video to the local store. A lingering sense of unease about her front door's lock followed her as she walked. Despite suspecting a possible break-in attempt, Jane chose not to alert the police or friends, returning home to prepare for bed.

• [03:35] Jane: "I think I was pulling my nightgown on over my head so my arms were up. He leapt out of the closet and grabbed me and threatened me."

As Jane got ready for bed, an intruder disguised in a mask and gloves assaulted her violently. The attacker, posing as a silent threat, raped her twice before slipping out unnoticed. Two hours later, Jane courageously called the police, setting the stage for a lengthy investigation.

Beginning the Investigation

Detective J. Craig Newland of the Long Beach Police Department spearheaded the initial response.

• [04:19] Detective J. Craig Newland: "I went to the hospital as a part of a sexual assault response team call out and met the victim there."

Jane underwent a thorough forensic examination, yielding a sample of the attacker's saliva. However, with no immediate suspects, DNA testing was delayed, and despite a public plea for information, no leads materialized. Six months post-attack, Jane's case was relegated to the cold files.

• [05:45] Jane: "I didn't really feel that he had singled me out or was attacking me personally."

Jane reflected on the senselessness of the crime, highlighting the randomness and the vulnerability felt by many women.

Serial Attacks Unfold

Detective Katherine Kriskovic, part of the Long Beach Sexual Assault Unit, took charge as the attacks escalated.

• [06:20] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "Obviously, this was an area here that was very close in proximity."

Over 18 months, ten more women were assaulted in Long Beach's affluent neighborhoods of Belmont Shore and Belmont Heights. Kriskovic and her team discerned two distinct patterns emerging from the cases:

1. Belmont Shore Rapist: Targeted older women (ages 40-79), committed assaults swiftly, and fled the scene.
2. Belmont Heights Rapist: Focused on younger victims, lingered post-assault, and engaged with the victims emotionally.

• [07:48] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "He would actually spend time with the victims, in some instances several hours."

Despite distributing sketches and warnings to the public, leads were scarce, and the rapists continued their heinous activities.

False Alarms: Jeffrey Grant

A significant breakthrough appeared with the apprehension of Jeffrey Grant, a suspect whose likeness matched the Belmont Shore Rapist's sketches.

• [09:17] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "We believed that we finally had a break."

Grant was arrested based on eyewitness identification from three victims. However, subsequent DNA analysis excluded him as the perpetrator.

• [10:20] Detective J. Craig Newland: "A match to each other."

The revelation forced investigators back to the drawing board, acknowledging that the true rapist remained at large.

• [10:36] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "It was back to square one."

Renewed Hunt

Undeterred, Kriskovic intensified the investigation, revisiting rape kits and leveraging advanced DNA profiling. The persistence paid off when DNA linked both the Belmont Shore and Belmont Heights series to a single individual, revealing the existence of only one serial rapist.

• [11:33] Narrator: "...all of a sudden put together we realized that we had an extremely horrific series going on."

Despite this connection, the identity of the perpetrator remained elusive until technology and investigative techniques advanced.

Final Capture: Mark Rathbun

The case took a pivotal turn with the attack on Margaret Gentry, a 71-year-old woman who bravely resisted her assailant.

• [16:15] Detective J. Craig Newland: "We didn't know what to really look for."

During the subsequent investigation, detectives deployed the Bloodhound team to trace scent pads from the crime scenes. This led them to an apartment complex where they identified Mark Wayne Rathbun, a man with a concerning criminal history.

• [21:57] Detective J. Craig Newland: "Sleep well tonight. We have the suspect."

DNA testing confirmed Rathbun's involvement, matching his saliva to semen samples from multiple victims. Despite initial setbacks, Rathbun was arrested, charged with 47 counts of sexual assault, and ultimately convicted of raping 14 women, receiving a sentence exceeding 1,000 years in prison.

• [22:16] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "Justice was served."

Victims' Perspectives

The episode powerfully highlights the resilience and courage of the victims:

• Margaret Gentry: "I refuse to be intimidated. I won't let him get the best of me."

• Julie Adler: "I just bit him and that was enough for him to stop."

These testimonies underscore the strength of survivors in overcoming their trauma and contributing to the resolution of their cases.

Detective Perspectives

Detective Kriskovic reflects on the arduous journey to justice:

• [23:40] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "Justice was served. It was one of the best feelings in the world to be able to say that there was an end, that it's done, it is over."

Her dedication exemplifies the relentless pursuit of truth and safety for the community.

Conclusion

The "REOPENED: Midnight Attacker" episode serves as a testament to the complexities of cold cases and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to resolve them. Through meticulous investigation, community cooperation, and advancements in forensic science, hope prevailed in bringing justice to the victims and their families.

Notable Quotes:

• [05:31] Detective J. Craig Newland: "What I did was I issued a press release and just asked for the public's help."

• [07:48] Detective Katherine Kriskovic: "He would actually spend time with the victims, in some instances several hours."

• [19:12] Tracy Menzer: "And then I just told him, you know, I'll do whatever you want."

Key Takeaways:

• Persistence in Investigation: The case highlights the importance of not giving up, even when faced with dead ends.

• Advancements in Forensics: Modern DNA analysis played a crucial role in both eliminating false suspects and confirming the true perpetrator.

• Community Impact: The series of attacks instilled fear within the community, leading to increased security measures and heightened awareness.

• Victim Resilience: The courage and resilience of the victims were pivotal in both their personal healing and the case's resolution.

For more compelling true crime stories, subscribe to Cold Case Files on PodcastOne, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.