The San Francisco Police Department has renewed its focus to catch a serial killer believed to have committed multiple murders in the 1970s.
Investigator Dan Cunningham said the victims did not deserve their gruesome death and justice should be served. Fox News reported that the department has recently increased its reward to $250,000 for information regarding the identity of the “Black Doodler.”
The SF Gate reported on January 2022 that homicide investigators identified a probable sixth victim of the Black Doodler. Warren Andrews was a lawyer for the U.S. Postal Service in San Bruno. In 1975, a hiker found his body at Land’s End. His body was described as being in a pool of blood, and he had suffered traumatic injuries – believed to be brutally beaten.
Who was the Black Doodler?
The Black Doodle is one of the most infamous cold-case murderers in San Francisco. The Black Doodler’s type of victims are gay men and leave them in San Francisco parks or beaches. It is believed that he killed at least six and up to 14 men between January 1974 and September 1975. However, the authorities might be victims in other parts of the country.
According to a surviving victim, the Black Doodler usually prowled in bars and restaurants that were popular with gay men. He would lure the victim into sexual encounters before brutally killing them. One of the victims described the Black Doodler as a cartoonist who usually doodles on a napkin.
Meanwhile, the SFPD released an age progression sketch of the suspect.
The SFPD released a progression sketch of Black Doodler. (Photo: SF Gate)
Find Out: California: Suspect Still at Large After Shooting One Person Outside Tesla Facility
More: 18-Year-Old Mother Was Found Dead Inside a Running Car in Sanford, Suspects Remain At Large
Why was the Black Doodler not Caught?
According to The SF Gate, several victims described the Black Doodler as a “well-known entertainer” and a diplomat. Furthermore, all surviving victims kept silent as testifying in court would indicate publicly outing themselves.
The SFPD continues their search for the identity of the Black Doodler. In 2019, investigator Dan Cunningham told CNN that they sent the DNA samples from two crimes to the lab, and they were beginning to “connect the dots.”
Cunningham said the investigation is getting closer to solving as more information is coming. The police have also interviewed the primary person of interest again–the same man identified as a suspect in the 1970s.
Anyone with information regarding the Black Doodler’s identity can contact the SFPD 24-hour hotline at 415-575-4444 or text at TIP411, starting the message with SFPD.
Read More: California Police: 100k Reward for 2002 Cold Case of Thea Slater
