California Man Convicted Of Two Cold 1980S Rape Murders Sexually Motivated Serial Killer

A California man was convicted in Los Angeles on Thursday of raping and murdering two women in the 1980s after investigators linked him to the case using new DNA tests. Horace Van Vaultz Jr., 67, described by prosecutors as a “sexually motivated serial killer,” was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in the July 16, 1981, deaths of Selena Keough, 21, and Mary Duggan. , 22, on June 9, 1986, City News Service reported. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for three hours before finding Vaultz guilty of murder as well as special circumstances including rape and sodomy. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told jurors “the defendant chose these victims [and] the accused is sitting here because he is a serial killer… a sexual predator,” CNS reported. HAWAIIAN MAN, 75, ARRESTED FOR 1982 1982 RAPE AND MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL, STABBED 59 TIMES: OFFICIALS Horace Van Vaultz Jr. convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of two women in the 1980s. (Burbank Police Department) Keough died of strangulation and her body was found in bushes near an apartment complex in Montclair, San Bernardino County. Duggan died of suffocation and her body was found in the trunk of a car in a Burbank parking lot. In closing arguments, Silverman argued that the “sexually motivated murders” were “committed by the same serial killer between 1981 and 1986” and claimed that Vaultz was responsible for both, as his DNA was found on or both victims, who were partially or completely naked at the time of their death, CNS reported. Silverman said “a ton of evidence” points “only to the defendant,” according to the report. A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle (Los Angeles Police Department) Vaultz, a former Marine who testified on his behalf, denied any wrongdoing. “My sperm means I may have had sex with the person. It doesn’t mean I killed them,” he said during the trial, CNS reported. When asked about his DNA, he repeated that he did not kill the women: “I tell you I did not kill anyone.” FLORIDA SERIAL KILLERS CHARGED IN 1983 COUPLE RAPES, MURDER CASES Damon Lamont Hobdy, Vaultz’s attorney, argued that the prosecution “did not prove” that his client murdered the women, CNS reported. “If the evidence shows he’s not guilty, which it is, do your duty,” Hobdy told jurors. The murders of both women went cold for decades, as modern DNA evidence was not available at the time. The Vaultz prosecution was the first time Los Angeles County used investigative genetic genealogy, where detectives accessed commercial DNA databases and used DNA from a relative that led them to the suspect, the former Los Angeles County District Attorney previously said , Jackie Lacey. TEXAS MAN IS SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS FOR MURDERING OF TWO WOMEN Vaultz was initially acquitted in 1988 of the slaying of Janna Rowe, 25, because prosecutors said current DNA evidence was not available at the time. Although the case cannot be retried, it was used as “pattern evidence” in the current prosecution. Rowe’s body was found strangled and dumped in a dumpster in Ventura County in 1986. Sabrina Plourde, Keough’s sister, told reporters she was grateful for the ongoing investigation and the verdict. “I feel incredibly grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point,” Plourde said, according to CNS. “You think that for so many years no one cares.” “They care and they won’t forget and they won’t forget the family if you miss someone,” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Vaultz was arrested during a traffic stop by Burbank police in November 2019 as he is wanted for the murders of Keough and Duggan. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 19. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

title: “California Man Convicted Of Two Cold 1980S Rape Murders Sexually Motivated Serial Killer Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Michael Gros”

A California man was convicted in Los Angeles on Thursday of raping and murdering two women in the 1980s after investigators linked him to the case using new DNA tests. Horace Van Vaultz Jr., 67, described by prosecutors as a “sexually motivated serial killer,” was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in the July 16, 1981, deaths of Selena Keough, 21, and Mary Duggan. , 22, on June 9, 1986, City News Service reported. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for three hours before finding Vaultz guilty of murder as well as special circumstances including rape and sodomy. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told jurors “the defendant chose these victims [and] the accused is sitting here because he is a serial killer… a sexual predator,” CNS reported. HAWAIIAN MAN, 75, ARRESTED FOR 1982 1982 RAPE AND MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL, STABBED 59 TIMES: OFFICIALS Horace Van Vaultz Jr. convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of two women in the 1980s. (Burbank Police Department) Keough died of strangulation and her body was found in bushes near an apartment complex in Montclair, San Bernardino County. Duggan died of suffocation and her body was found in the trunk of a car in a Burbank parking lot. In closing arguments, Silverman argued that the “sexually motivated murders” were “committed by the same serial killer between 1981 and 1986” and claimed that Vaultz was responsible for both, as his DNA was found on or both victims, who were partially or completely naked at the time of their death, CNS reported. Silverman said “a ton of evidence” points “only to the defendant,” according to the report. A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle (Los Angeles Police Department) Vaultz, a former Marine who testified on his behalf, denied any wrongdoing. “My sperm means I may have had sex with the person. It doesn’t mean I killed them,” he said during the trial, CNS reported. When asked about his DNA, he repeated that he did not kill the women: “I tell you I did not kill anyone.” FLORIDA SERIAL KILLERS CHARGED IN 1983 COUPLE RAPES, MURDER CASES Damon Lamont Hobdy, Vaultz’s attorney, argued that the prosecution “did not prove” that his client murdered the women, CNS reported. “If the evidence shows he’s not guilty, which it is, do your duty,” Hobdy told jurors. The murders of both women went cold for decades, as modern DNA evidence was not available at the time. The Vaultz prosecution was the first time Los Angeles County used investigative genetic genealogy, where detectives accessed commercial DNA databases and used DNA from a relative that led them to the suspect, the former Los Angeles County District Attorney previously said , Jackie Lacey. TEXAS MAN IS SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS FOR MURDERING OF TWO WOMEN Vaultz was initially acquitted in 1988 of the slaying of Janna Rowe, 25, because prosecutors said current DNA evidence was not available at the time. Although the case cannot be retried, it was used as “pattern evidence” in the current prosecution. Rowe’s body was found strangled and dumped in a dumpster in Ventura County in 1986. Sabrina Plourde, Keough’s sister, told reporters she was grateful for the ongoing investigation and the verdict. “I feel incredibly grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point,” Plourde said, according to CNS. “You think that for so many years no one cares.” “They care and they won’t forget and they won’t forget the family if you miss someone,” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Vaultz was arrested during a traffic stop by Burbank police in November 2019 as he is wanted for the murders of Keough and Duggan. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 19. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

title: “California Man Convicted Of Two Cold 1980S Rape Murders Sexually Motivated Serial Killer Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-06” author: “Rhoda Maldonado”

A California man was convicted in Los Angeles on Thursday of raping and murdering two women in the 1980s after investigators linked him to the case using new DNA tests. Horace Van Vaultz Jr., 67, described by prosecutors as a “sexually motivated serial killer,” was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in the July 16, 1981, deaths of Selena Keough, 21, and Mary Duggan. , 22, on June 9, 1986, City News Service reported. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for three hours before finding Vaultz guilty of murder as well as special circumstances including rape and sodomy. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told jurors “the defendant chose these victims [and] the accused is sitting here because he is a serial killer… a sexual predator,” CNS reported. HAWAIIAN MAN, 75, ARRESTED FOR 1982 1982 RAPE AND MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL, STABBED 59 TIMES: OFFICIALS Horace Van Vaultz Jr. convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of two women in the 1980s. (Burbank Police Department) Keough died of strangulation and her body was found in bushes near an apartment complex in Montclair, San Bernardino County. Duggan died of suffocation and her body was found in the trunk of a car in a Burbank parking lot. In closing arguments, Silverman argued that the “sexually motivated murders” were “committed by the same serial killer between 1981 and 1986” and claimed that Vaultz was responsible for both, as his DNA was found on or both victims, who were partially or completely naked at the time of their death, CNS reported. Silverman said “a ton of evidence” points “only to the defendant,” according to the report. A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle (Los Angeles Police Department) Vaultz, a former Marine who testified on his behalf, denied any wrongdoing. “My sperm means I may have had sex with the person. It doesn’t mean I killed them,” he said during the trial, CNS reported. When asked about his DNA, he repeated that he did not kill the women: “I tell you I did not kill anyone.” FLORIDA SERIAL KILLERS CHARGED IN 1983 COUPLE RAPES, MURDER CASES Damon Lamont Hobdy, Vaultz’s attorney, argued that the prosecution “did not prove” that his client murdered the women, CNS reported. “If the evidence shows he’s not guilty, which it is, do your duty,” Hobdy told jurors. The murders of both women went cold for decades, as modern DNA evidence was not available at the time. The Vaultz prosecution was the first time Los Angeles County used investigative genetic genealogy, where detectives accessed commercial DNA databases and used DNA from a relative that led them to the suspect, the former Los Angeles County District Attorney previously said , Jackie Lacey. TEXAS MAN IS SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS FOR MURDERING OF TWO WOMEN Vaultz was initially acquitted in 1988 of the slaying of Janna Rowe, 25, because prosecutors said current DNA evidence was not available at the time. Although the case cannot be retried, it was used as “pattern evidence” in the current prosecution. Rowe’s body was found strangled and dumped in a dumpster in Ventura County in 1986. Sabrina Plourde, Keough’s sister, told reporters she was grateful for the ongoing investigation and the verdict. “I feel incredibly grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point,” Plourde said, according to CNS. “You think that for so many years no one cares.” “They care and they won’t forget and they won’t forget the family if you miss someone,” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Vaultz was arrested during a traffic stop by Burbank police in November 2019 as he is wanted for the murders of Keough and Duggan. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 19. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

title: “California Man Convicted Of Two Cold 1980S Rape Murders Sexually Motivated Serial Killer Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-11” author: “Julia Moore”

A California man was convicted in Los Angeles on Thursday of raping and murdering two women in the 1980s after investigators linked him to the case using new DNA tests. Horace Van Vaultz Jr., 67, described by prosecutors as a “sexually motivated serial killer,” was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in the July 16, 1981, deaths of Selena Keough, 21, and Mary Duggan. , 22, on June 9, 1986, City News Service reported. The jury of nine men and three women deliberated for three hours before finding Vaultz guilty of murder as well as special circumstances including rape and sodomy. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman told jurors “the defendant chose these victims [and] the accused is sitting here because he is a serial killer… a sexual predator,” CNS reported. HAWAIIAN MAN, 75, ARRESTED FOR 1982 1982 RAPE AND MURDER OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL, STABBED 59 TIMES: OFFICIALS Horace Van Vaultz Jr. convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of two women in the 1980s. (Burbank Police Department) Keough died of strangulation and her body was found in bushes near an apartment complex in Montclair, San Bernardino County. Duggan died of suffocation and her body was found in the trunk of a car in a Burbank parking lot. In closing arguments, Silverman argued that the “sexually motivated murders” were “committed by the same serial killer between 1981 and 1986” and claimed that Vaultz was responsible for both, as his DNA was found on or both victims, who were partially or completely naked at the time of their death, CNS reported. Silverman said “a ton of evidence” points “only to the defendant,” according to the report. A Los Angeles Police Department vehicle (Los Angeles Police Department) Vaultz, a former Marine who testified on his behalf, denied any wrongdoing. “My sperm means I may have had sex with the person. It doesn’t mean I killed them,” he said during the trial, CNS reported. When asked about his DNA, he repeated that he did not kill the women: “I tell you I did not kill anyone.” FLORIDA SERIAL KILLERS CHARGED IN 1983 COUPLE RAPES, MURDER CASES Damon Lamont Hobdy, Vaultz’s attorney, argued that the prosecution “did not prove” that his client murdered the women, CNS reported. “If the evidence shows he’s not guilty, which it is, do your duty,” Hobdy told jurors. The murders of both women went cold for decades, as modern DNA evidence was not available at the time. The Vaultz prosecution was the first time Los Angeles County used investigative genetic genealogy, where detectives accessed commercial DNA databases and used DNA from a relative that led them to the suspect, the former Los Angeles County District Attorney previously said , Jackie Lacey. TEXAS MAN IS SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS FOR MURDERING OF TWO WOMEN Vaultz was initially acquitted in 1988 of the slaying of Janna Rowe, 25, because prosecutors said current DNA evidence was not available at the time. Although the case cannot be retried, it was used as “pattern evidence” in the current prosecution. Rowe’s body was found strangled and dumped in a dumpster in Ventura County in 1986. Sabrina Plourde, Keough’s sister, told reporters she was grateful for the ongoing investigation and the verdict. “I feel incredibly grateful for everyone who helped us get to this point,” Plourde said, according to CNS. “You think that for so many years no one cares.” “They care and they won’t forget and they won’t forget the family if you miss someone,” she added. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Vaultz was arrested during a traffic stop by Burbank police in November 2019 as he is wanted for the murders of Keough and Duggan. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 19. The Associated Press contributed to this report.