The Doodler
Encyclopedia
The Doodler, also known as the Black Doodler, is an unidentified serial killer
believed responsible for 14 slayings and three assaults of men in San Francisco's gay
community between January 1974 and September 1975. The nickname was given due to the perpetrator's habit of sketching
his victims prior to having sex with them and then stabbing them to death. The perpetrator met his victims at after-hours gay clubs, bars and restaurants.
Police
had developed a prime suspect in the case, identified by two of his survivors, but authorities could not proceed with an arrest as the surviving victims refused to "out" themselves by way of testifying (one was an entertainer, the other a diplomat
). Meanwhile, the suspect spoke freely with police, although he did not admit the slayings.
At the time, Harvey Milk
publicly expressed his empathy for the victims who refused to speak, stating "I understand their position. I respect the pressure society has put on them."
To date, the suspect has never been publicly named or apprehended, and the slayings have faded into obscurity; very little information is currently available about these crimes.
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
believed responsible for 14 slayings and three assaults of men in San Francisco's gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
community between January 1974 and September 1975. The nickname was given due to the perpetrator's habit of sketching
Sketch (drawing)
A sketch is a rapidly executed freehand drawing that is not usually intended as a finished work...
his victims prior to having sex with them and then stabbing them to death. The perpetrator met his victims at after-hours gay clubs, bars and restaurants.
Police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
had developed a prime suspect in the case, identified by two of his survivors, but authorities could not proceed with an arrest as the surviving victims refused to "out" themselves by way of testifying (one was an entertainer, the other a diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
). Meanwhile, the suspect spoke freely with police, although he did not admit the slayings.
At the time, Harvey Milk
Harvey Milk
Harvey Bernard Milk was an American politician who became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors...
publicly expressed his empathy for the victims who refused to speak, stating "I understand their position. I respect the pressure society has put on them."
To date, the suspect has never been publicly named or apprehended, and the slayings have faded into obscurity; very little information is currently available about these crimes.