Anastasia Nicolazzi

At autopsy, it was confirmed that Leslie had been severely beaten and that strangulation was the cause of her death. The medical examiner also made another discovery during the exam.

At autopsy, it was confirmed that Leslie had been severely beaten and that strangulation was the cause of her death. The medical examiner also made another discovery during the exam.

Despite Leslie's state of undress when she was found, there was no actual physical evidence of a completed sexual assault, which led investigators to wonder whether it was that Leslie had managed to fight off her attacker or or at least what became clear, died trying.

Despite Leslie's state of undress when she was found, there was no actual physical evidence of a completed sexual assault, which led investigators to wonder whether it was that Leslie had managed to fight off her attacker or or at least what became clear, died trying.

Remember, this was the 1970s, and DNA testing was not an available technology at the time. But investigators could use blood typing to at least narrow down a pool of suspects.

Remember, this was the 1970s, and DNA testing was not an available technology at the time. But investigators could use blood typing to at least narrow down a pool of suspects.

With no other identifying evidence and no witnesses to the crime... Police were faced with an almost impossible task. Leslie's killer could literally be anyone, even possibly someone she knew.

With no other identifying evidence and no witnesses to the crime... Police were faced with an almost impossible task. Leslie's killer could literally be anyone, even possibly someone she knew.

People that may have known her routine, someone who may have followed her to the hills, and who had a dark desire to kill.

People that may have known her routine, someone who may have followed her to the hills, and who had a dark desire to kill.

And starting in May of 1972, there had been a string of unsolved murders of young women in the Bay Area, including college students and hitchhikers from nearby Berkeley and Santa Cruz, murders that would later be connected and attributed to Ed Kemper, nicknamed the co-ed killer. So you can only imagine the fear that the community must have been experiencing.

And starting in May of 1972, there had been a string of unsolved murders of young women in the Bay Area, including college students and hitchhikers from nearby Berkeley and Santa Cruz, murders that would later be connected and attributed to Ed Kemper, nicknamed the co-ed killer. So you can only imagine the fear that the community must have been experiencing.

At that point, no one was beyond suspicion. But one by one, the police were able to investigate each tip and eliminate them as connected to Leslie's case.

At that point, no one was beyond suspicion. But one by one, the police were able to investigate each tip and eliminate them as connected to Leslie's case.

Tragically, it would be another murder with undeniable similarities to Leslie's death that would reignite the case and provide crucial clues to solving it.

Tragically, it would be another murder with undeniable similarities to Leslie's death that would reignite the case and provide crucial clues to solving it.

The body was that of Janet Taylor. And there were immediate comparisons and similarities to Leslie Perloff's murder, which had also taken place in a desolate area just a few miles away.

The body was that of Janet Taylor. And there were immediate comparisons and similarities to Leslie Perloff's murder, which had also taken place in a desolate area just a few miles away.

And I think that's exactly it, Scott, that it's either in this crime sense, practical to slow down your victim from running away. But also again, when we talk about signatures and things that are ritualistic, they don't necessarily make sense to most people. It is just something in the mind of the attacker, right? Why does someone pose someone's body?

And I think that's exactly it, Scott, that it's either in this crime sense, practical to slow down your victim from running away. But also again, when we talk about signatures and things that are ritualistic, they don't necessarily make sense to most people. It is just something in the mind of the attacker, right? Why does someone pose someone's body?