Notorious 'Hillside Strangler' seeks freedom after decades behind bars despite expert warnings
Share this @internewscast.com

One of the infamous “Hillside Stranglers” was recently evaluated for possible parole in Washington state, raising questions about how someone convicted of such horrific crimes could be considered for release.

“When the public hears that Kenneth Bianchi, one of the individuals known as the Hillside Stranglers, is eligible for parole again, it reignites fear and sorrow for the families of the victims,” former FBI special agent Jason Pack shares with Fox News Digital.

“These families endured the loss of daughters, sisters, and friends due to some of the most vicious and cold-blooded crimes this nation has witnessed. For them, this hearing is not just a legal proceeding. It compels them to revisit the painful memories they’ve borne for years.”

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.

Kenneth Bianchi in courtroom

Hillside Strangler Kenneth Bianchi testifies in a courtroom against his cousin and accomplice Angelo Buono. (Getty Images)

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

Kenneth Bianchi gets out of a sheriff’s car on arrival at Criminal Courts Building in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 1979, where he arrived for arraignment on charges that he murdered five women in the Los Angeles area in late1977 and early 1978. (Getty Images)

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 stepheny.price@fox.com

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
My partner's daughter is jealous of me

My Partner’s Daughter Feels Envious Towards Me

DEAR ABBY: I have been involved with my partner, “Gil,” for five…
Photo of Jeffrey Epstein.

Author Reveals Shocking Last Text from Jeffrey Epstein Just Hours Before ‘Suicide’ as Mystery Around ‘Client List’ Intensifies

JEFFREY Epstein sent an astounding final text hours before he reportedly committed…
Relationship expert shares the key to a happy relationship

Expert Reveals the Secret to a Happy Relationship

The couples that clean together, stay together. A relationship counselor suggests that…
Woman standing in front of her house, surrounded by numerous Amazon packages.

Amazon Delivery Chaos: Hundreds of Parcels Flood My Home with No End in Sight

HUNDREDS of large Amazon packages kept arriving at the doorstep of one…
Iranian flag held aloft by a statue in Tehran, with an anti-Israel billboard in the background.

The UK warns that Iran now presents a serious physical threat to residents, similar to the risk from Russia.

IRAN poses a significant threat to Britain with Tehran’s spies targeting the…
Rock band with more than 1 million Spotify listeners reveals it's entirely AI-generated — down to the musicians themselves

AI-Created Rock Band with Over 1 Million Spotify Streams Unveiled – Including Virtual Musicians

A vibrant rock band that rapidly climbed to the top of Spotify’s…
Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards.

Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt shares fiancé Sean Hannity’s endearing nickname for her and her journey of healing after divorce

FOX News host Ainsley Earhardt has revealed her fiancé Sean Hannity’s sweet…
Prep school lacrosse player’s accused killer could walk after making legal maneuver: expert

Legal Move Might Allow Accused Killer of Prep School Lacrosse Player to Avoid Jail, Says Expert

A Connecticut prep school murder case might see a defendant acquitted due…
Frank Layden, beloved Jazz head coach and GM, dead at 93

Frank Layden, esteemed Jazz coach and general manager, passes away at 93

Frank Layden, who guided the Jazz to their inaugural NBA playoffs in…
Trump's immigration crackdown prompts California bishop to excuse Catholics from Sunday mass

California Bishop Allows Catholics to Miss Sunday Mass in Response to Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

A Southern California bishop made an unusual decision on Tuesday to relieve…
Screengrab of the Eternity C bulker being attacked in the Red Sea.

Houthi Rebels Sink Two Cargo Ships and Kidnap Crew in Red Sea Amid Renewed Tensions, Despite Trump’s Previous Actions

HOUTHI rebels have sunk two giant cargo ships within days and kidnapped…
Dem rep calls out NYC's ongoing failure to tackle Bronx 'open air drug market' crisis

Democratic Representative Criticizes NYC for Failing to Address Bronx’s ‘Open-Air Drug Market’ Issue

On Wednesday, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., expressed grave concerns about an “open-air…