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The Man Who Arrested Serial Killer Rodney Alcala Reveals the True Story Behind “The Dating Game” Case
The world will forever be fascinated by the case of Rodney Alcala, known as the “Dating Game killer” due to his appearance on the popular 1970s TV show. Recently, a Netflix special called “Woman of the Hour” was released, which told the story of how Alcala’s appearance on the show led to his capture. Now, the lead detective in Alcala’s investigation, Craig Robison, has shared the true story in his first public interview.
Robison, a retired California prosecutor and judge, was tasked with investigating the case in 1979 after the disappearance of 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. He reveals that Alcala’s appearance on “The Dating Game” was a turning point in the case, and how a TV newscast brought him down.
According to Robison, Alcala had a high IQ but lacked emotional intelligence. He believed that Alcala’s obsession with his next victim and his ability to manipulate women and girls was a key factor in his ability to evade capture for so long.
Robison recalls that Alcala appeared on “The Dating Game” as Bachelor No. 1 in 1978, but he was not actually chosen by the female bachelorette, Cheryl Bradshaw. In fact, Bradshaw had sensed something was off about Alcala and was right to send him packing. This episode of the show was aired, but Robison believes it was a crucial clue that helped bring Alcala down.
The tip that ultimately led to Alcala’s arrest came from a parole officer who recognized the sketch of the suspect and thought it resembled Alcala, who had a long history of sex offenses. Authorities learned that Alcala was arrested for the rape of a 15-year-old girl just months before Samsoe’s disappearance and was still on bail at the time.
Robison and his team found a storage locker that Alcala had rented in Seattle, which was filled with hundreds of photographs of women and jewelry. They discovered a yellow and red pouch containing a pair of gold earrings that Robin Samsoe’s mother identified as belonging to her daughter. These “trophies” were a key piece of evidence that linked Alcala to his crimes, which were ultimately proven by DNA evidence decades later.
Alcala was sentenced to death in 2010 for the murders of five people in California, including Samsoe, and was charged with additional murders in New York and other states. He died in prison in 2021, still awaiting execution.
Robison believes that Alcala’s arrest marked the beginning of the end for him, and acknowledges that it was a result of the efforts of his team and the local community. He is proud to have played a key role in bringing the serial killer to justice and hopes that his story can serve as a reminder of the importance of never giving up on a case.