In February 2013, former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner launched a deadly campaign of revenge, setting off one of the largest manhunts in Southern California history.

What began with a chilling manifesto quickly escalated into murder, mistaken identity, police shootings, and a massive search that left Southern California on edge.

From the streets of Los Angeles to a final, fiery standoff in the San Bernardino Mountains, we break down the events, the victims, and the chaos of those terrifying days.

Grab your cocktail and join us for a case that Southern California will never forget.

Content Warning: murder, gun violence, shootings involving law enforcement, threats of violence, arson, injuries to civilians, mentions of racism, and suicide.

🔥🍎 Fireside Cider

2oz spiced rum

2-3 dashes of bitters

Spiced apple cider

0.5oz Lemon juice

Cinnamon sticks

Honey crisp apples

Ginger beer (optional)

Add spiced rum, bitters, lemon juice and spiced apple cider to a shake full of ice. Shake and pour into glass. Add ice and top with spiced apple cider or ginger beer if you prefer. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon sticks.

✨ Bri-lixir Version

Sub for NA rum

Manifesto: https://laist.com/news/police-public-safety/renegade-ex-cop-left-messages-for-c

Sources: KTLA: 10 Days of Terror: The Christopher Dorner Rampage

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/timeline-ex-lapd-officer-suspected-in-shooting-spree-had-sued-the-department/2053567/

🎙️ Subscribe to SoCal Slaughters for new episodes covering Southern California’s most infamous crimes, mysteries, and killers. New episodes every Sunday.

TRIGGER & CONTENT WARNING

This episode contains detailed discussion of a true-crime case involving the kidnapping, sexual assault, physical assault, torture, and murder of two young women.

Listeners should be aware that this episode includes descriptions of:

• Sexual assault and rape
• Sexual violence involving a minor in a discussion of a prior crime
• Kidnapping and abduction
• Stalking and surveillance of victims
• Physical assault, including punching and other acts of violence
• Restraint, bondage, and hog-tying
• Strangulation and asphyxiation
• Threats involving weapons
• Breaking and entering into victims' homes
• Blood and forensic evidence
• Descriptions of injuries and violent struggles
• The discovery and recovery of victims' bodies
• Discussions of graves, decomposition, and autopsy findings
• Alcohol use in connection with the crimes
• The investigation, interrogation, confession, trial, and death sentence of the perpetrator

Some portions of this episode contain particularly disturbing descriptions of sexual violence, physical restraint, and the circumstances surrounding the victims' deaths.

Listener discretion is strongly advised. If any of these subjects may be distressing or triggering for you, please consider skipping this episode or stopping playback at any time.

SOURCES & REFERENCES

California Supreme Court. People v. Krebs, S099439. California Supreme Court, 21 November 2019.
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ca-supreme-court/2031879.html

Los Angeles Times. “Trial Revives Disturbing Memories.” 25 March 2001.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-mar-25-mn-42543-story.html

San Luis Obispo Tribune. “San Luis Obispo County Crime/Local News Article.”
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article253315838.html

San Luis Obispo Tribune. “San Luis Obispo County Crime Article.”
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/crime/article229481689.html

IMDb. Buried in the Backyard, Season 1, Episode 7, “Killer by the Coast.” 2018.
https://www.imdb.com/

🎙️ Subscribe to SoCal Slaughters for new episodes covering Southern California’s most infamous crimes, mysteries, and killers. New episodes every Sunday.

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING

This episode discusses murder, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, strangulation, physical assault, home invasion, violence against elderly women, gun violence, attempted abduction, and descriptions of crime scenes.

Listener discretion is advised.

SOURCES — THE BOUNCING BALL KILLER

• California Supreme Court — People v. Henry Adolph Busch, 56 Cal.2d 868 (1961)

• California Supreme Court — In re Busch, 57 Cal.2d 536 (1962)

• Los Angeles Times — “Police Seek Clues to Strangler of 7 Women,” June 29, 1960

• Los Angeles Times — “Police Arrest Ball Bouncing Killer Suspect,” July 3, 1960

• Los Angeles Times — “Multiple-Slaying Suspect Released,” July 4, 1960

• Los Angeles Evening Citizen News — “Sex Maniac Sought for Three Killings,” June 27, 1960

• Los Angeles Mirror — “Woman, 57, Succumbs in Beating,” May 30, 1959

• Los Angeles Mirror / Mirror News — “‘Rubber Ball Strangler’ — His Urge to Kill May Be Irresistible,” June 29, 1960

• Mirror News — “‘Rubber Ball’ Killer Tips Are Checked,” June 30, 1960

• News-Pilot — “Woman Dies After Attack,” May 30, 1959

• Reno Gazette-Journal — “Strangler Preys on Older Women,” June 29, 1960

• California Eagle — “7 Deaths Laid to Killer,” June 30, 1960

• California Eagle — “Bouncing Ball Suspect Freed — No Evidence,” July 28, 1960

• Sacramento Bee — “LA Strangler of Women Strikes Again, Leaves No. 6,” June 28, 1960

• Evening Vanguard — “Police Search for Depraved Strangler,” June 28, 1960

• Independent — “Slayer of Elderly Women Described,” June 29, 1960

• The Montgomery Advertiser — “Negro Bible Salesman Held in Coed Slaying,” July 13, 1960

• The Shreveport Journal — “Lie Detector Test Set for Negro Slayer,” July 13, 1960

• Oxygen / Serial Killer Capital: Los Angeles — “Who Is Los Angeles’ Bouncing Ball Killer?”

• Fruitloops: Serial Killers of Color — Episode 159, “The Bouncing Ball Killer” (includes an extensive bibliography of contemporary newspaper coverage)

Note: Contemporary reports differ on some dates and on which crimes should be attributed to the unidentified offender. Elmyra Miller’s murder was initially associated with the series but was later established to have been committed by Henry Adolph Busch. The identity of the man known as the Bouncing Ball Killer was never established.

🎙️ Subscribe to SoCal Slaughters for new episodes covering Southern California’s most infamous crimes, mysteries, and killers. New episodes every Sunday.