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[The Conclusion of the Hillside Stranglers: Manipulation, Deception, and Justice]-[Episode 259: The Hillside Stranglers Part 3]

Morbid · B2 · 2021-08-27

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Final Chapter of a Reign of Terror

In the concluding part of the Hillside Strangler saga, hosts Ash and Elena delve into the final series of crimes, the botched attempts at deception, and the eventual legal reckoning for Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono. The narrative highlights the duo's transition from opportunistic predators to individuals desperate to manipulate the investigation, often failing due to their own arrogance and incompetence.

The Failed Diversion: The Murder of Kimberly Diane Martin

Attempting to throw investigators off their scent, Bianchi and Buono sought to change their MO by luring a sex worker from an agency to a vacant apartment in the Tamarind complex. They abducted Kimberly Diane Martin under the ruse of a police sting. Despite their efforts to create a "wild goose chase," the abduction was messy and drew unwanted attention from neighbors. The hosts note that the killers were driven by a sense of invincibility, believing they could outsmart the police by moving their operations to different locations. However, their signature "five-point restraint"—handcuffs, bound ankles, and ligatures—continued to serve as a damning calling card.

The Illusion of Power and the Reality of Incompetence

Throughout the investigation, Bianchi’s behavior became increasingly bizarre. He repeatedly attempted to join the LAPD, even going on a ride-along with officers while actively seeking out the crime scenes he had created. His desire for "power and authority" was matched only by his profound stupidity. His attempts to pose as a police officer—complete with a fake badge—and his absurd lies about being a scuba diver (a hobby he never actually practiced) underscored his desperate need to appear "manly and cool."

The Final Victim and the Collapse of a Partnership

As the task force grew and public fear reached a fever pitch, the relationship between Bianchi and Buono began to unravel. Tensions peaked following the abduction of Cindy Hudspeth, who was lured into Buono’s upholstery shop. The murder was a turning point, as the duo’s attempts to make the crime look "theatrical" by pushing her car over a cliff backfired. Soon after, Bianchi moved to Washington to be with his girlfriend, Kelly, and their newborn son, Ryan—a name he chose because of the police officer who had rejected his job application, a choice the hosts describe as "fucked up."

The Washington Murders and the Insanity Defense

In Washington, Bianchi attempted to work alone, murdering Karen Mandic and Diane Wilder. This act of cold-blooded cruelty ultimately led to his downfall. When apprehended, Bianchi attempted to feign Multiple Personality Disorder (then known as MPD) to secure an insanity defense. He created an alter-ego named "Steve," a move the hosts dismiss as a transparent scam. Bianchi’s attempts to manipulate psychiatrists—and his failure to maintain consistency between his "personalities" (such as ripping filters off cigarettes in the exact same way)—eventually led to his exposure as a fraud.

Justice Served

Despite Bianchi’s attempts to blame Buono and manipulate the legal system, his plea deal fell through due to his lies. He was sentenced to life without parole in Washington. Angelo Buono, after a lengthy, contentious trial marked by his defense attorney's bizarre behavior—including attempting to deliver a birthday cake to a mass murderer—was found guilty of nine counts of murder. Judge Ronald George’s sentencing remarks served as a powerful indictment of the killers, lamenting that while they used every form of "capital punishment" on their victims, they themselves would be housed and fed at the taxpayer's expense. The case remains a chilling reminder of the catastrophic impact of their crimes and the failure of early investigative efforts to connect the dots.

🎯Key Sentences

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I was like, no, you can't do that.
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I'm in charge of the recording button.
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I have way too much information, one might say, about these people.
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I love it so much.
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We're all here experimenting together.
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📝Key Phrases

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unleash a mystery
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throw a wrench in
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wild goose chase
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take a second glance
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ride-along
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📖 Transcript

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