Summary of "Morbid" Podcast Episode 640: Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer (Part 1)
Podcast Information:
- Title: Morbid
- Host/Authors: Elena and Ash from the Morbid Network | Wondery
- Episode: 640: Rodney Alcala: The Dating Game Killer (Part 1)
- Release Date: January 27, 2025
- Description: Morbid is a true crime and creepy history podcast that delves into all things spooky, hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist, blending thorough research with humor.
Introduction
The episode begins with casual banter between the hosts, Elena and Ash, discussing their restless nights and a spooky TikTok video from the Appalachian Mountains. This lighthearted introduction sets the tone before diving into the chilling story of Rodney Alcala.
Rodney Alcala’s Early Life and Background
Rodney Alcala, born on August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas, exhibited no early warning signs of his future crimes. Described as a respectful and intelligent child, he excelled academically, leaving teachers with no concerns about his behavior.
Notable Quote:
Elena: "His teachers said he was among the most intelligent children in the class." [23:29]
Military Service and Psychological Decline
After high school, Alcala joined the US Army, following in his older brother's footsteps. In 1963, after his grandmother's death and his father's abrupt departure, Alcala began showing signs of psychological distress, leading to his admission to a military psychiatric facility. Despite these challenges, he maintained a high IQ of around 140.
Notable Quote:
Ash: "He was exceedingly intelligent, with an IQ of around 140." [23:29]
Early Crimes: Morgan Rowan’s Assault
In 1965, Alcala attacked Morgan Rowan, a young woman he encountered at a teen nightclub. Although she managed to escape his initial assault, Morgan later met Alcala again in 1968, leading to a second, more violent attack where she narrowly escaped with the help of friends.
Key Points:
- First Assault (1965): Morgan Rowan was assaulted by Alcala but survived.
- Second Assault (1968): During her going-away party, Morgan was forcibly taken by Alcala to his apartment, where she was brutally assaulted but escaped thanks to other friends' intervention.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "Morgan was assaulted in a big way." [25:25]
Elena: "I feel like you're actually... We actually live in the house, and we never leave." [51:53]
The Dating Game Appearance
In 1978, Alcala appeared on the popular game show The Dating Game. Despite being a convicted sexual predator with prior charges for sexual assault and attempted murder, he was able to charm the audience and win a date with Cheryl Bradshaw. However, Cheryl’s instincts led her to cancel the date after meeting him backstage, unknowingly sparing herself from Alcala’s deadly intentions.
Key Points:
- Alcala's background as a convicted sexual predator was not thoroughly vetted by the show's producers.
- Cheryl Bradshaw sensed something was off and chose to cancel the date, escaping what could have been a tragic evening.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "She had to applaud her gut instinct." [13:12]
Elena: "Thank goodness she did." [13:13]
Subsequent Crimes and Escaping Authorities
After his Dating Game appearance, Alcala continued his spree, committing multiple murders across California. His intelligence and charm allowed him to evade capture for years, even relocating and assuming aliases to distance himself from his past.
Key Points:
- Serial Killings: By the time of his appearance on The Dating Game, Alcala had already killed several women and continued to do so until his eventual arrest.
- Aliases and Relocation: Alcala used aliases like John Berger to infiltrate communities and avoid detection.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "He flew under the radar and ended up on the Dating Game." [23:08]
Elena: "That's the craziest part to me." [13:02]
The Tragic Case of Tali Shapiro
In September 1968, Tali Shapiro, an eight-year-old girl, was brutally assaulted by Alcala outside her family's temporary home at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Her survival and subsequent recovery were aided by the heroic actions of Donald Haynes, a passerby who sensed something was wrong and alerted the authorities.
Key Points:
- Attack Details: Tali was assaulted and left in critical condition but survived after months of rehabilitation.
- Heroic Intervention: Donald Haynes followed Alcala’s car and reported suspicious behavior to the police, leading to the rescue of Tali.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "He's a monster." [36:42]
Elena: "I can't even." [36:49]
Investigation and Steve Hodel’s Role
Detective Steve Hodel, son of George Hodel (a prime suspect in the Black Dahlia case), took a keen interest in Alcala’s activities. As Alcala continued his murders, his façade of normalcy made him a challenging target for law enforcement, allowing him to continue his crimes until his eventual capture.
Key Points:
- Steve Hodel's Involvement: His background and determination played a crucial role in the investigation of Alcala.
- Alcala’s Arrest: Despite his efforts to remain undetected, a combination of witness testimonies and persistent investigation led to Alcala’s eventual arrest.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "He flew under the radar and ended up on the Dating Game." [23:08]
Elena: "What a piece of..." [17:30]
Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2
The episode concludes with the capture of Alcala by FBI agents, highlighting his expressionless demeanor and refusal to discuss his crimes. The hosts tease the next part of the series, which will delve into Alcala’s arrest, conviction, and eventual release.
Notable Quotes:
Ash: "Alcala looked expressionless at Hodel and said, 'I don't want to talk about Rodney Alcala and what he did.'" [56:34]
Ash: "We're going to talk about his arrest, a conviction, and his eventual release in part two." [57:08]
Key Takeaways
- Rodney Alcala’s Dual Life: His ability to maintain a charming and intelligent facade despite his heinous crimes.
- Importance of Intuition: Cheryl Bradshaw’s gut feeling that led her to cancel the date, potentially saving her life.
- Heroism of Ordinary People: Donald Haynes’ intervention was pivotal in saving Tali Shapiro’s life.
- Challenges in Serial Killer Investigations: Alcala’s intelligence and manipulation made him a formidable opponent for law enforcement.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Elena: "His teachers said he was among the most intelligent children in the class." [23:29]
- Ash: "He was exceedingly intelligent, with an IQ of around 140." [23:29]
- Ash: "Morgan was assaulted in a big way." [25:25]
- Elena: "Thank goodness she did." [13:13]
- Ash: "She's a monster." [36:42]
- Ash: "He flew under the radar and ended up on the Dating Game." [23:08]
- Elena: "What a piece of..." [17:30]
- Ash: "Alcala looked expressionless at Hodel and said, 'I don't want to talk about Rodney Alcala and what he did.'" [56:34]
- Ash: "We're going to talk about his arrest, a conviction, and his eventual release in part two." [57:08]
Stay Tuned: Part 2 of this series will explore Rodney Alcala’s arrest, his trial, and his eventual release, providing deeper insights into one of America’s most notorious serial killers.