Close Menu
Get on News
  • United States
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Videos
Trending
FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is ,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for  on Amazon

Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is $1,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for $30 on Amazon

Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Get on News
  • United States
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Subscribe
Trending Topics:
  • US Election
  • Donald Trump
  • Kamala Harris
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Ukraine War
  • Israel War
Get on News
  • United States
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Finance
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Videos
United States

Notorious ‘Hillside Strangler’ seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings

News RoomBy News RoomJuly 9, 2025No Comments5 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Copy Link Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Notorious ‘Hillside Strangler’ seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

One of the notorious “Hillside Stranglers” was recently considered for potential parole in Washington state, with many asking how someone convicted of such heinous crimes could be considered for release.

“When people hear that Kenneth Bianchi, one of the men known as the Hillside Stranglers, is up for parole again, it brings back fear and sadness for the families of the victims,” retired FBI special agent Jason Pack tells Fox News Digital.

“These families lost daughters, sisters, and friends in some of the most brutal and cold-hearted crimes this country has seen. For them, this hearing isn’t just a legal step. It forces them to relive painful memories they’ve carried for decades.”

Anthony D’Amato, formerly known as Kenneth Bianchi, is one of the infamous “Hillside Stranglers,” responsible for a series of murders involving women and girls during the late 1970s, including two killings in Washington.

EXPERT WARNS IDAHO MURDERER’S PLEA DEAL STRATEGY IS A DANGEROUS CALCULATED ‘LONG GAME’

D’Amato and his cousin, Angelo Buono, were also convicted of murdering five individuals in Southern California. Buono passed away in a California prison in 2002.

Acting alone, D’Amato also killed two women in the Bellingham area. Though suspected of additional killings, he was never convicted of those crimes. D’Amato then legally changed his name from Bianchi in 2023.

“As a retired FBI agent who spent years working violent crime and studying the behavior of offenders like Bianchi, I can tell you that this kind of danger does not simply go away with age,” Pack said.

“His crimes were carefully planned. He picked out his victims, gained their trust, and then attacked and killed them. Even after his arrest, Bianchi worked hard to avoid responsibility. He faked mental illness, claimed to have multiple personalities, and tried to manipulate doctors and the justice system,” Pack pointed out. 

MENENDEZ BROTHERS RESENTENCING: TIMELINE OF KILLERS’ FIGHT OVER FREEDOM IN PARENTS’ MURDERS

Mugshot of Anthony D'Amato

Pack said the fact that D’Amato changed his name could be seen as another attempt to distance himself from his past and confuse the process.

“Some people watching at home may wonder why he’s even getting a parole hearing. The reason is simple: under the law, certain types of sentences require parole reviews at scheduled times. This does not mean he is likely to be released. The parole board will consider many things: how serious his crimes were, how he has behaved in prison, whether he has shown real remorse, and what risk he would pose if ever released,” Pack explained. 

“In Bianchi’s case, the pattern of lies, manipulation and lack of accountability should weigh heavily against him.”

Pack added that even though Bianchi is now 74 years old, “age does not erase the mindset that led him to kill.” 

“The thinking, manipulation and risk factors that made him dangerous in the past remain present today. People like him can still manipulate others, even from behind bars,” Pack said. 

Even if paroled in Washington, California has active murder charges pending, Pack explained, working to ease concerns for those who are worried about public safety if he is paroled.  

“It’s important to know that even if Washington state were to grant him parole, which I think is unlikely, California has multiple life sentences waiting for him. He would not be released into the community. He would be immediately transferred to California to serve those sentences,” Pack said.

MENENDEZ BROTHERS COULD GET FREEDOM UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW SIGNED BY GAVIN NEWSOM: EXPERT

Kenneth Bianchi in courtroom

Realistically, Pack said Bianchi could remain incarcerated well into old age – likely until death.

Despite disturbing headlines, parole does not guarantee release, Pack said, adding that Bianchi still faces serious legal roadblocks.

“At the end of the day, the families of the victims deserve peace. The community deserves to feel safe. And the justice system has a responsibility to make sure a man who caused so much harm remains where he belongs – behind bars,” Pack said. 

After committing a series of violent crimes, including the sexual assault and murder of women in the Los Angeles area, D’Amato was employed as a security guard in Bellingham in January 1979. During his time there, he persuaded two Western Washington University students, Karen Mandic and Diane Wilder, to accompany him to a residence, where he subsequently strangled them. These murders prompted law enforcement to link D’Amato to approximately 10 similar cases in California.

Kenneth Bianchi Arriving at Court in 1979

To avoid a death sentence, D’Amato pleaded guilty in Washington and received two consecutive life sentences without parole.

During his incarceration, D’Amato has made repeated legal attempts to overturn his Washington convictions, arguing, among other things, that his confession was obtained under hypnosis. He has consistently proclaimed his innocence.

Pack said that during the time of Bianchi’s conviction, California law allowed for periodic parole hearings, even for convicted murderers. That law remains applicable to those sentenced under it.

D’Amato’s parole requests have been denied on multiple occasions in recent years in both Washington state and California. 

D’Amato, now 74 and incarcerated at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, was originally scheduled for a parole hearing in May 2025, which was later delayed. The board is expected to publish its decision by July 23. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]

Read the full article here

Follow on Google News Follow on Flipboard
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Copy Link

Related News

FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

July 10, 2025
Ex-California cop who allegedly partied at music festival, went to Disneyland while collecting 0K for fake injury faces lawsuit

Ex-California cop who allegedly partied at music festival, went to Disneyland while collecting $600K for fake injury faces lawsuit

July 10, 2025
FBI launches criminal investigations of John Brennan, James Comey and more top headlines

FBI launches criminal investigations of John Brennan, James Comey and more top headlines

July 10, 2025
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Demo
Latest News
FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is ,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for  on Amazon

Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is $1,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for $30 on Amazon

Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

Adrian Houser throws up in dugout, returns to mound against surging Blue Jays squad in remarkable display

Adrian Houser throws up in dugout, returns to mound against surging Blue Jays squad in remarkable display

Trending
FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

FBI seeking military vet suspected in ICE ambush at Texas detention facility

July 10, 2025
Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is ,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for  on Amazon

Chrissy Teigen’s Summery Cardigan Is $1,450 — Get the Hamptons Look for $30 on Amazon

July 10, 2025
Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

Trump seethes that Dems floating bill requiring the unmasking of ICE, CBP agents must ‘hate’ America

July 10, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest news and updates directly to your inbox.

Advertisement
Demo
Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest TikTok Instagram
2025 © Prices.com LLC. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • For Advertisers
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.