Investigators have reopened the cold case of the “Doodler” serial killer from the 1970s, and they are on the hunt. 

This case may not be as famous as those of the Zodiac Killer or the Zebra Killer, which were also happing at the same time, but it is finally getting the attention that it deserves. This vile man, nicknamed the “Doodler,” wreaked havoc on the gay community of San Francisco. This killer was allowed to walk free for 47 years. The case went cold after a community of fearful residents were hesitant to share their stories with the authorities. Citizens were afraid of the homicides that were terrorizing their lives and afraid of not receiving the justice they deserved.   

During the 1970s, a series of killings occurred in the San Francisco area. Up until 1975, it is believed that there were five victims, all belonging to the same murderer. On April 27, 1975, Warren Andrews was a victim of sexual assault. He died about seven weeks later and sparked a further investigation into this case. In July that same year, two new victims were found approximately two weeks apart. All of the victims appear to be Caucasian, gay males. These attacks occurred at the Fox Plaza Apartments. Homicide detectives began drawing connections between these murders and those earlier that year. One Fox Plaza Apartment victim claimed to have spent time with the suspect. He says that he had met the suspect at a diner prior to the attacks. During this “meeting,” the suspect appeared to be doodling and claimed to be studying to be a cartoonist.

 In October 1975, this victim provided enough information to investigators for them to render a sketch of the suspect. Two illustrations have been developed, one in 1975 and the second one in 2018. The second shows the same/similar features and demonstrates aging over the years. A phone call was made to the SFPD with a license plate and the suspect’s name. This call encouraged more citizens to come forward with additional information. In January 1976, this person was interviewed and became a strong suspect in the investigation. 

January 27, 2022, marked the 47th anniversary of the first homicide of the “Doodler.” The reward for the conviction of this suspect has gone from $100,000 to $200,000. The SFPD is finally making an effort to find the killer after all these years.