WOMAN: You've heard of the Zodiac Killer.
And you've heard of Son of Sam.
The Golden State Killer was one of the most prolific,
violent serial rapists, and eventually, a murderer.
And the tragedy of this case to me
is that it's not better known.
♪ (OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYS) ♪
PATTON OSWALT: Patton Oswalt, sitting here with the lovely,
and intelligent Michelle McNamara, my wife,
and creator of one of the best written,
and creepiest crime blogs on the web.
MICHELLE MCNAMARA: I just obsessed over it.
What drives me is the need to put a face
on a unknown killer.
After my husband and daughter fell asleep,
I hunted the killer with my laptop.
WOMAN 2: She was doing two things at once.
She was writing a book,
and she was trying to solve a case.
She had material that other investigators had never seen.
WOMAN 3: She introduced you to the lives of the victims
and made you care.
MICHELLE: I had a murder habit, and it was bad.
I would feed it for the rest of my life.
OFFICER: I know she never had a badge and a gun.
Michelle always was one of us.
MICHELLE:
Open the door.
Show us your face.
Walk into the light.
♪ (MUSIC CONCLUDES) ♪