From October 13, 1972 to January 13, 1973, serial killer Herbert Mullin, who resided in the Felton area, reined forth his terror on the county of Santa Cruz, killing 13 people. According to historical news articles, Mullin used a baseball bat to brutally bash the skull of an alcoholic drifter, disemboweled a female hitchhiker, stabbed a priest to death in his confessional, shot and stabbed a drug dealers wife and children, as well as a young married couple. He murdered four teenage campers execution-style and was said to have shot a retired boxer with a rifle in his front yard. In all Mullin left 13 victims, in his wake.
Lawrence White, 55. October 13, 1972; Mary Guilfoyle, 24. October 24, 1972; Fr Henri Tomei, 65. November 2, 1972; Jim Ralph Gianera, 25. January 25, 1973; Joan Gianera, 21. January 25, 1973; Kathy Francis, 29. January 25, 1973; Daemon Francis, 4. January 25, 1973; David Hughes, 9. January 25, 1973; David Allan Oliker, 18. February 6, 1973; Robert Michael Spector, 18. February 6, 1973; Brian Scott Card, 19. February 6, 1973; Mark John Dreibelbis, 15. February 6, 1973; Fred Perez, 72. February 13, 1973.
Mullin who was, voted most likely to succeed, by his peers in school, became an avid user of LSD - He also began to believe his victims were communicating with him telepathically and that they wanted to be killed. He also believed the death of these alleged “chosen victims” would prevent earthquakes and natural disasters yet to come. Although Mullin was deemed to be legally sane - drug induced schizophrenia was evident.
Ironically Herbert Mullin and Edmund Kemper were both randomly leaving victims throughout the county of Santa Cruz, at the same time, however with signs of two different modus operandi - the police were left baffled not knowing that they in fact had two serial killers running lose through the city streets.
Mullin was sentenced to life in prison at the Mule Creek State Prison in Ihone, California. In 2012, Santa Cruz Ghost Hunters, founder, Mari A. Porter had the rare opportunity of receiving a letter from inmate Herbert William Mullin in which he politely mentioned his favorite books, one of which is ;The Mountains of California by John Muir. He mentioned the last flight mission of the space shuttle Endeavor, and inquired about our thoughts on ghosts in outer space. He described his religious beliefs as agnosticism and natural science and suggested a phone interview with S.C.G.H via a collect call, which we politely declined.
Herbert Mullin, now in his 60s, was denied parole in February 2011. He told the parole board he would like to return to the Felton area if released and relive his remaining years in the county of Santa Cruz. Fortunately for the residents of Santa Cruz County, Mullin will continue his life sentence at the Mule Creek state prison facility.