The Protected Prison Life: 5 Shocking Facts About Where The Golden State Killer Is Now

As of December 2025, the man known as the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., is serving his sentence of life without the possibility of parole in a California state prison. The most updated and crucial detail is that his exact location is now a closely guarded secret, a deliberate move by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to ensure his safety and security.

DeAngelo, a former police officer who terrorized California for over a decade under multiple aliases, was finally brought to justice in 2020. This article breaks down the latest information on his incarceration, the facility he is believed to be in, and the chilling details of his final conviction.

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr.: A Comprehensive Biographical Profile

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. is one of the most infamous American serial killers, rapists, and burglars. His crimes spanned across California from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, leaving a trail of terror that baffled investigators for decades.

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• Full Name: Joseph James DeAngelo Jr.
• Born: November 8, 1945 (Age 80 as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Bath, New York, U.S.
• Aliases: The Golden State Killer (GSK), East Area Rapist (EAR), Original Night Stalker (ONS), Visalia Ransacker, Diamond Knot Killer.
• Former Occupation: Police Officer (Exeter Police Department: 1973–1976; Auburn Police Department: 1976–1979). He was fired from the Auburn Police Department in 1979 for shoplifting.
• Crimes Committed: 13 counts of first-degree murder, 13 counts of kidnapping to commit robbery, and admitted to over 50 rapes and 161 uncharged crimes involving 61 uncharged victims.
• Arrest Date: April 24, 2018.
• Plea and Sentencing: Pleaded guilty in August 2020 to avoid the death penalty. Sentenced to 11 consecutive life terms plus 15 concurrent life terms without the possibility of parole.

Fact 1: The Golden State Killer’s Exact Prison Location Is a Protected Secret

The most current information regarding Joseph James DeAngelo's whereabouts is that his precise incarceration facility is no longer disclosed to the general public by the CDCR. This is a common practice for high-profile inmates, especially serial killers, to prevent potential attacks from other inmates or outside threats.

Following his sentencing in August 2020, DeAngelo was initially transferred to North Kern State Prison near Delano, California. This facility is primarily a reception center, where inmates are processed and evaluated before being moved to a permanent facility based on their security, medical, and psychiatric needs.

While the CDCR does not confirm his current location, sources familiar with the case and prison system strongly suggest he was moved to a maximum-security facility. The most likely permanent location is the Protective Housing Unit (PHU) at Corcoran State Prison in Corcoran, California. This unit is designed to house inmates who require separation from the general population for their safety, which is standard for former law enforcement officials or notorious offenders like DeAngelo.

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Fact 2: He Is Serving a Sentence Equivalent to 26 Life Terms

DeAngelo received one of the longest sentences in California history. His formal sentencing in 2020 was the culmination of decades of work by victims, investigators, and prosecutors across multiple counties, including Sacramento, Orange, Ventura, Tulare, and Santa Barbara.

The sentence totaled 11 consecutive life terms without parole, plus 15 concurrent life terms. The severity of the sentence ensures he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars, a victory for the dozens of victims and their families who endured decades of silence and fear. The plea deal, which allowed him to avoid the death penalty, was a difficult but necessary compromise to guarantee a conviction before his advanced age and declining health became a factor in his trial.

This massive sentence was a direct result of his crimes as the East Area Rapist (EAR), who committed over 50 rapes in Northern California, and the Original Night Stalker (ONS), who committed 13 murders in Southern California—two aliases that were only connected to one person years later.

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Fact 3: The Arrest Was Made Possible by Genetic Genealogy

The capture of Joseph James DeAngelo is considered one of the most significant breakthroughs in forensic science history. The case was solved not through traditional police work but through the pioneering use of genetic genealogy.

In 2018, cold case investigators, including Paul Holes, uploaded a DNA profile from one of the crime scenes to a public genealogy website, specifically GEDmatch.

This process, spearheaded by genetic genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter, found distant relatives of the killer. By meticulously building a family tree backward and forward, investigators narrowed the suspect pool down to Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. The final confirmation came from a discarded DNA sample, officially linking the former police officer to the decades of unsolved crimes.

The use of this technology remains a point of debate regarding privacy, but it was the key that unlocked the identity of the elusive killer after 40 years. The successful prosecution of DeAngelo has since paved the way for the use of genetic genealogy in hundreds of other cold cases across the United States.

Fact 4: He Tried to Blame His Crimes on an Alter Ego Named ‘Jerry’

During his interrogation and in court, DeAngelo displayed bizarre behavior, which included an attempt to introduce an alter ego as the true perpetrator of the crimes.

In a chilling moment captured during his 2018 interrogation, DeAngelo was heard muttering, "I did all those things. I murdered all those people. I’m sorry." He then added, "I didn’t have the strength to push him out. He pushed me out. He made me."

The "he" DeAngelo referred to was an alleged second personality or alter ego he called "Jerry." This attempt to deflect responsibility onto a split personality was ultimately rejected by prosecutors and the court. The attempt highlighted his manipulative nature, even in the face of overwhelming DNA evidence.

Fact 5: The Case Still Generates New Content and Public Interest

Even years after his sentencing, the Golden State Killer case continues to be a subject of intense public interest, ensuring that fresh information and perspectives are constantly being released.

Most recently, the case's lead prosecutor, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, released a new book titled *The People vs. the Golden State Killer*, offering an insider's look into the investigation, the plea negotiations, and the emotional impact on the victims.

The continued release of books, documentaries, and interviews with key figures like Thien Ho and Paul Holes ensures that the story of DeAngelo’s crimes and his eventual capture remains a relevant topic in true crime. This ongoing public and media scrutiny serves as a constant reminder of the justice finally delivered to the victims of the Visalia Ransacker, the East Area Rapist, and the Original Night Stalker.

The Finality of Justice for the Victims

Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. will die in a California prison. While his exact location is now a secret shielded by the state, the finality of his sentence—multiple life terms without parole—means he will never again walk free. The successful prosecution, a testament to the persistence of cold case detectives and the revolutionary power of genetic genealogy, closed a painful chapter for California.

For the victims, including those in Sacramento, Contra Costa, Ventura, and Orange Counties, the conviction of the Golden State Killer provided a long-awaited sense of closure. DeAngelo, now an octogenarian, is an inmate in a high-security unit, spending his final years stripped of the power he once held over his victims.