The Most Infamous ‘Dating Game’ Winner Was a Texas Serial Killer
When you see someone you recognize on tv, so many feelings go through your mind; amazement, surprise, joy, perhaps shock... usually horrified isn't one. Well if you've watched The Dating Game in 1978, there's one contestant that people certainly remember; the most infamous Dating Game contestant from San Antonio, Texas Rodney Alcala. But the story behind Rodney was much darker than that. This is the story of The Dating Game Killer.
Who was Rodney Alcala?
Born in San Antonio, Texas August 23, 1943, his original name was Rodrigo Jacques Alcala-Buquor. He lived in Texas until he & his dad moved to Mexico when he was 8. His first run ins with the law occurred in 1968 & 1971, where he would do some... let's just say "unwanted touching" on girls at an arts camp in New Hampshire. He would serve 34 months in jail for child molestation. Rodney would have a body count of 5 murders between 1971 - 1978, the year he would appear on The Dating Game.
When did Rodney Alcala appear on The Dating Game?
September 13, 1978 is the date of what is known as the most infamous episode of The Dating Game. Cheryl Bradshaw was the female contestant who had to choose between 3 bachelors; Rodney being one of them.
So yes Rodney won the game show, but according to Cheryl, she actually turned down an offer to go on a date with Rodney. She revealed in an interview in 2012 that she felt a very creepy vibe & didn't want to see him again (I wonder why...)
When did Rodney get captured?
He was finally arrested in 1979 but it wouldn't be until 2010 when Rodney was FINALLY put on trail for his previous crimes.
Rodney was sentenced 25 years to life in prison on January 7, 2013. He would only serve 8 years in prison, as he would die from natural causes at age of 71 on July 24, 2021. In total it's been speculated that Rodney killed up to 130 people during his murder spree. If you want to learn more about his crimes, you can see everything he ever was charged of here on Murderpedia.
When you think of the deadliest killers from Texas like The Candy Man, The Eyeball Killer or The Butcher of Elmendorf... without a doubt The Dating Game Killer ranks up there as one of the worst killers to ever been born in Texas.
