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[The Brutal Reality of the Hillside Stranglers: A Deep Dive into the Crimes of Angelo Buono and Kenny Bianchi]-[Episode 258: The Hillside Stranglers Part 2]

Morbid · B2 · 2021-08-24

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Depravity of the Hillside Stranglers: A Chronicle of Terror

In this installment of Really Morbid, hosts Ash and Elena delve into the harrowing second part of the Hillside Strangler case, focusing on the escalating violence perpetrated by cousins Angelo Buono and Kenny Bianchi. The narrative paints a chilling portrait of two individuals who, driven by a pathological inability to handle rejection and an insatiable desire to inflict suffering, transformed Los Angeles into a hunting ground in the late 1970s.

The Modus Operandi: Calculated Cruelty

The hosts emphasize that Buono and Bianchi were far from impulsive; they were terrifyingly organized. Before their attacks, they would prepare "items needed" such as tape, upholstery stuffing, cords, and bags to "streamline the process" of murder. This clinical approach to torture—treating the abduction and killing of women like a home improvement project—highlights their profound lack of empathy. Their signature method often involved impersonating police officers, using fake badges to lure victims into their car, only to subject them to brutal sexual assault and asphyxiation.

The Victims: Lives Stolen and Tarnished

The podcast makes a concerted effort to humanize the victims, pushing back against the killers' attempts to tarnish their legacies.

  • Lissa Kasten: A vibrant 21-year-old dancer and co-founder of the "LA Knockers," Kasten was described by the killers as "unattractive" to justify their depravity. Ash and Elena forcefully reject this, highlighting her beauty, her health-conscious lifestyle, and her strength in fighting back against her attackers.
  • Jane King: A 28-year-old Scientologist described as sweet and shy, King was abducted after the killers charmed her into a false sense of security. Her refusal to accept her fate, even while bound, serves as a testament to her spirit.
  • Christina Weckler: An honor student and aspiring artist, Weckler’s murder is cited as one of the most stomach-churning instances of their cruelty. The killers injected her with Windex and subjected her to a horrific ordeal involving a gas stove. Detective Bob Grogan, who investigated her case, was deeply affected by the state of her apartment, which was filled with her art and a diary reflecting her love for life.
  • Sonia Johnson and Dolores "Dolly" Cepeda: The murder of these two young friends—aged 14 and 12—represents the "lowest form of low." Their abduction while simply walking home from a bus stop underscores the terrifying reality that no one was safe, regardless of age.

The Investigation: A Race Against Time

The investigation was spearheaded by detectives Frank Salerno and Bob Grogan. Salerno is credited with having the "trained eye" necessary to identify the connection between the murders, noting subtle clues like a piece of white upholstery stuffing left on a victim's eyelid. Grogan, described by the hosts as having a "papa vibe" and deep empathy for the victims, became emotionally invested in the cases, even keeping Christina Weckler’s diary safe for her parents to ensure it wasn't exploited.

The Aftermath and Societal Impact

The hosts note that during this period, fear permeated Los Angeles. People began buying locks, mace, and taking self-defense classes in record numbers. The killers, meanwhile, moved through society with chilling nonchalance. Bianchi, who had been attempting to pose as a psychology student, even joked with coworkers about being the serial killer terrorizing the city, winking to suggest he was the one—a display of narcissism that the hosts find deeply infuriating.

Conclusion

By the end of this episode, the hosts express their utter disgust at the "unthinkable" nature of these crimes. The transition from the initial murders of Judith Miller and Yolanda Washington to the increasingly sadistic acts against Lauren Wagner and others shows a rapid descent into pure evil. As the podcast prepares for its final installment, the focus shifts toward the killers' eventual capture and the legal aftermath, including the bizarre intervention of Veronica Compton, who attempted to kill for Bianchi to prove his innocence. The episode serves as a somber reminder of the lives lost and the enduring horror of the Hillside Stranglers.

🎯Key Sentences

1
Let me tell you, these two are a lot worse than I think you are even thinking.
2
That's crazy talk.
3
I'm down for this.
Expand All

📝Key Phrases

1
all-access pass
2
bring your color to life
3
in the heat of the moment
4
streamline the process
5
take it a step further
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, it's Ash here, ready to share a little secret.
Have you heard of Wondery Plus? With ad free episodes and one week early access, it's like having an all access pass to our lighthearted nightmare.
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