Rodney Alcala cause of death: How did the Dating Game Killer die?

As a true crime enthusiast who has followed Rodney Alcala’s chilling story for years, it’s fascinating to finally learn about his demise. The irony of his capture and subsequent release, only to continue his reign of terror, is a grim reminder of the imperfections in our justice system.


Intriguingly, Rodney Alcala’s notorious crimes and subsequent apprehension have made him a captivating figure in Netflix’s series Woman of the Hour. However, one may wonder about the manner of his demise; how did he eventually pass away?

The conclusion of Woman of the Hour carries a mix of sadness and bitterness. Alcala is captured by police following a violent assault on a young hitchhiker. However, as we read in the final captions, Alcala was freed not long after, allowing the killer to continue his rampage, claiming at least two more lives.

Eventually, Rodney Alcala was imprisoned, found guilty of multiple murders (believed to have killed as many as 130 individuals), and sentenced to death row. However, did he ever experience the execution that came with this sentence?

Here’s how Rodney Alcala, aka The Dating Game Killer, died.

Rodney Alcala died in prison

Despite receiving a death sentence, Alcala lived out his days in prison and ultimately passed away naturally at the age of 77 in 2021. The cause of his death wasn’t explicitly mentioned.

77-year-old Rodney James Alcala, a resident of Orange County, who was serving time on California’s death row, passed away due to natural causes at 1:43 a.m. on July 24, 2021, in a hospital located in Kings County.

Rodney Alcala cause of death: How did the Dating Game Killer die?

During the years 1968 to 1979, Alcala was a prolific murderer who gained the nickname “The Dating Game Killer” following his appearance on the popular television dating program with the same title in 1978.

Although Alcala’s responses were dubious, he emerged victorious in that particular episode. Yet, the bachelorette, Cheryl, opted against joining him for a date, citing an uneasy feeling about him.

In 1980, Alcala was found guilty for murdering Robin Samsoe, a 12-year-old girl he had abducted on her way to ballet class in 1979. However, this conviction was overturned in 1984. After another trial in 1986, Alcala was sentenced to death again.

In 2003, the previous verdict was reversed once more, leading to a fresh trial. During this second trial, Alcala was charged for the murders of four additional women.

Back in 2016, I found myself standing accused of the murders of eight women – Robin Samsoe, Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, Jill Parenteau, Cornelia Crilley, Ellen Jane Hover, and Christine Ruth Thornton. This was a heavy burden to carry.

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2024-10-21 12:49