People Magazine Presents: Crimes Of The 2010s: Who Was Itzcoatl Ocampo?

Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

People Magazine Investigates: Crimes Of The 2010s chronicles the alleged serial killer Itzcoatl Ocampo’s crimes, who has been accused of murdering the homeless in California. The upcoming episode titled “2012: The So-Cal Killer” will air on ID this Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET.

A synopsis reads, “At the start of 2012, southern California has been under siege for two years by a serial killer targeting the homeless; however, when police accuse one man of the murder of his mother and brother, he discovers all the murders are connected.”

Itzcoatl Ocampo, a former US marine who served in Iraq, was facing charges in the murders of four homeless men. Other charges of Ocampo also included the stabbing deaths of his high school friend’s mother and brother, reported Reuters. The suspected serial killer’s crimes began in December 2011 until his arrest the following January.

Itzcoatl Ocampo: What did the accused homeless serial killer do?

Itzcoatl Ocampo, who is now deceased, was a suspect in six murders that occurred in California’s Orange County. He allegedly murdered six homeless men starting on December 20, 2011. Prosecutors called these six murders a serial “thrill-kill” spree, which concluded after his arrest on January 13, 2013, per CBS News.

The outlet stated that Itzcoatl Ocampo allegedly murdered his first victim, 53-year-old James Patrick McGillivray, on December 20. The second victim was 42-year-old Lloyd Middaugh, who died a week later near a Santa Ana riverbed trail in Anaheim. Then, 57-year-old Paulus Smit was the third victim whose murder occurred two days later outside a Yorba Linda library.

Authorities arrested Itzcoatl Ocampo on January 13, right after he allegedly stabbed 64-year-old John Berry. The stabbing happened outside Anaheim’s Carl’s Jr. restaurant, with multiple witnesses around. The bystanders chased Ocampo after calling the police, who apprehended him in a mobile home park in Yorba Linda, stated NBC Los Angeles.

Itzcoatl Ocampo was a suspect in two additional murders that took place months before his alleged homeless men murder spree began. In October 2011, he murdered the mother and brother of his childhood friend. The victims were 53-year-old Raquel Estrada and 34-year-old Juan Herrera.

What happened to Itzcoatl Ocampo?

Reportedly, before arresting Itzcoatl Ocampo, police had caught Eder Herrera, a homeless man, in connection with the murders. However, they released Herrera, who was suspected serial killer Ocampo’s friend, after the latter’s DNA linked him to the crimes. Prosecutors charged the Iraq veteran with six counts of murder, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Itzcoatl Ocampo’s family claimed he had been disturbed after returning home following his discharge from the military in 2010. Ocampo’s father, Refugio Ocampo, told the Associated Press that he had expressed disillusionment and was facing troubles settling into civilian life. Refugio claimed his son had lost his house and was struggling with his family.

Refugio Ocampo added that he wanted Itzcoatl Ocampo to receive the proper psychological treatment. He and one of their neighbors, who is a Vietnam war veteran, had been pushing the accused for treatment. The father said his son had “started talking about stuff that didn’t make any sense, that the end of the world was going to happen.”

Elsewhere, prosecutors alleged Itzcoatl Ocampo targeted the homeless as they were easy prey. The Guardian stated that they claimed Ocampo felt as though the homeless were a disease in the community. Along with the murder charges, he was also facing more counts, including special allegations of multiple murders, lying in wait, and use of a deadly weapon.

However, Itzcoatl Ocampo died by suicide in later 2013 while awaiting trial. Per NBC Los Angeles, officials found him sick, shaking and vomiting, in his jail cell and rushed him to a Santa Ana hospital, where he died. Ocampo, who was mentally ill, reportedly consumed a fatal dose of Ajax industrial cleanser that he collected while in custody.

Learn more about Itzcoatl Ocampo’s case in People Magazine Investigates: Crimes Of The 2010s.

Nikita Mahato

Nikita Mahato is a true-crime and news writer at ComingSoon and shows an aptitude for captivating storytelling, and extensive research, among other things. Her previous works can be seen on Sportskeeda. A proficient basketball player, Nikita has been involved with several non-profit organizations to be able to give back to the community. She also has a penchant for everything entertainment.