On this day, April 10, in 1980, two of the Freeway Killer’s dozens of victims disappeared to later be found raped and murdered.
William G. Bonin began his killing spree in 1979, hunting for victims around Los Angeles, picking up young male prostitutes or hitchhikers. Sometimes he had an accomplice. His youngest victim was 12.
Two of his victims were last seen on this day 29 years ago.
Steven Wood, 16, was found sexually assaulted and strangled the next day. The body of Lawrence Sharp, 18, was discovered in a trash bin.
Bonin was caught three months later when police had him under surveillance and caught him in the act of assaulting a 15-year-old boy.
He confessed to abducting, raping and killing 21 boys and young men. Police suspected him of 15 more. Bonin told one reporter, “I couldn’t stop killing. It got easier each time.”
Police believe there were two other Freeway killers who might have collectively killed up to 130 victims.
Bonin was executed at San Quentin on Feb. 23, 1996.
