rights
Police are hunting "The Doodler," the suspected murderer of five gay men during the mid-1970s
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· June 15, 2026
· 1 min read
San Francisco police are offering $250,000 to anyone who can help identify the person(s) who targeted six white gay men and murdered them during the late night and early morning hours of nights between late January 1974 to June 1975. Investigators don't think Investigators believe that a serial kill
Why this matters
The hunt for the "Doodler" serial killer highlights the challenges of investigating cold cases, particularly those involving marginalized communities. The fact that witnesses were hesitant to testify at the time of the murders due to fear of repercussions or stigma associated with being gay underscores the need for a supportive and inclusive environment for victims and witnesses to come forward. The San Francisco Police Department's collaboration with the FBI to compare similarities with other murders nationwide may lead to new breakthroughs in the case. The identification of a possible person of interest, who is still alive and living in the Bay Area, raises hopes that justice may finally be served for the victims and their families. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial to recognize the historical context of these crimes, which occurred during a time of heightened homophobia and lack of legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and to acknowledge the ongoing efforts to address the systemic inequalities that contributed to these tragedies.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 15, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Francisco police are offering $250,000 to anyone who can help identify the person(s) who targeted six white gay men and murdered them during the late night and early morning hours of nights between late January 1974 to June 1975. Investigators don't think Investigators believe that a serial kill
When was this published? This article was first published on June 15, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .