As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in crime-solving narratives, I find myself captivated by real-life mysteries such as the Itzcoatl Ocampo case. The chilling story of a serial killer targeting the homeless in southern California during the early 2010s is a stark reminder of the darker side of humanity that often serves as inspiration for many video games and films.
People Magazine Investigates: Criminal Acts of the 2010s delves into the purported crimes committed by Itzcoatl Ocampo, who stands accused of murdering homeless individuals in California. The forthcoming episode, “The So-Cal Killer of 2012”, is scheduled to air on ID this coming Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
At the beginning of 2012, I found myself in the gripping throes of a two-year-long horror unfolding across southern California – a serial killer on the loose, specifically targeting our homeless population. Yet, when authorities pinned the murder of my mother and brother on an individual, a shocking revelation came to light: all these killings were part of a sinister, interconnected web.
Previously serving as a US marine in Iraq, Itzcoatl Ocampo found himself under investigation for the murders of four homeless individuals. Additionally, he was accused of the stabbing deaths of his high school friend’s mother and brother. According to Reuters, these crimes are believed to have occurred between December 2011 and his arrest in January of the following year, making Ocampo a suspected serial killer.
Itzcoatl Ocampo: What did the accused homeless serial killer do?
The late Itzcoatl Ocampo was under suspicion for six murders that took place in California’s Orange County. He is believed to have murdered six homeless men starting from December 20, 2011. Prosecutors referred to these killings as a “thrill-killing” spree, which came to an end following his arrest on January 13, 2013, as reported by CBS News.
According to reports, Itzcoatl Ocampo is accused of killing three people: James Patrick McGillivray, aged 53, on December 20th; Lloyd Middaugh, 42, who passed away a week later near a trail by the Santa Ana riverbed in Anaheim; and Paulus Smit, 57, whose death occurred two days after, outside a library in Yorba Linda.
On January 13, Itzcoatl Ocampo was taken into custody following an alleged stabbing incident involving John Berry, a 64-year-old man. The violent act occurred outside a Carl’s Jr. restaurant in Anaheim, with several people nearby as witnesses. These bystanders pursued Ocampo after phoning the authorities, and he was eventually captured in a mobile home park in Yorba Linda, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Back in October 2011, I found myself standing before a chilling reality – a double murder that shook my small circle. Raquel Estrada, a woman of 53, and her brother Juan Herrera, aged 33, were the ones who paid the ultimate price. They were friends from my childhood days, and their lives were tragically cut short by me. This grim event occurred months before I was linked to the series of homeless men murders that made headlines later on.
What happened to Itzcoatl Ocampo?
It’s said that prior to apprehending Itzcoatl Ocampo, police initially detained Eder Herrera, a homeless individual, for his involvement in the murders. Later, they let Herrera go as DNA evidence implicated Ocampo, who was suspected of being Herrera’s friend and a serial killer, in the crimes. Subsequently, Ocampo, an Iraq war veteran, faced six murder charges and pleaded not guilty to them.
After coming home from military service in 2010, Itzcoatl Ocampo’s relatives asserted that he became troubled. Specifically, Itzcoatl’s father, Refugio Ocampo, informed the Associated Press that Itzcoatl appeared disenchanted and was finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life. According to Refugio, his son had lost his home and was grappling with family issues.
Refugio Ocampo mentioned that Itzcoatl Ocampo should get appropriate mental health care. He, along with a nearby neighbor who served in the Vietnam War, have been urging the accused to seek treatment. The father expressed concern because his son had begun discussing things that didn’t make sense and was worried about the end of the world.
In other locations, prosecutors asserted that Itzcoatl Ocampo intentionally targeted homeless individuals because they were vulnerable victims. The Guardian reported that these claims suggested Ocampo perceived the homeless as a harmful element within the community. Apart from murder charges, he was also dealing with additional counts, such as accusations of multiple murders, ambushing his victims, and utilizing lethal weapons.
Sadly, Itzcoatl Ocampo took his own life in late 2013, during the time he was being held before trial. As NBC Los Angeles reported, prison officials discovered him unwell, experiencing seizures and vomiting, within his cell. He was then transported to a hospital in Santa Ana, where he tragically passed away. It’s said that Ocampo, who struggled with mental health issues, ingested a lethal amount of Ajax industrial cleaner while in custody.
Learn more about Itzcoatl Ocampo’s case in People Magazine Investigates: Crimes Of The 2010s.
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2024-08-21 16:10