Dating Death

In 1968, Rodney Alcala flees Los Angeles after the rape and attempted murder of an 8-year-old girl. He moves to New York, where he changes his name to John Berger and enrolls in NYU's film department. For three years, Alcala spends his summers upstate, where he works as a camp counselor for children until he is recognized from an FBI wanted poster. After his subsequent arrest, he is flown back to California to stand trial.

In 1977, New York heiress Ellen Hover goes missing the night of the blackout. Shortly afterward, Alcala relocates to California and is hired as a typesetter for the “Los Angeles Times.” By this point, Alcala has served time in jail on multiple occasions, but no one vets him for the job. Throughout the year, Alcala hunts the streets for victims, posing as a successful photographer to get close to women. Then in 1978, Alcala participates in "The Dating Game" and wins a date with a contestant.

In 1979, 12-year-old Robin Samsoe goes missing on Huntington Beach. The search for her has no leads, except for the sketch composite from a witness of a curly-haired man who approached the young girl and her friend to take pictures of them. Days later, Robin's remains are found in a wooded area. Alcala's former parole officer watches a rerun of “The Dating Game,” and seeing similarities between Alcala and the composite, he contacts police—resulting in Alcala's arrest and new potential evidence.