One of the notorious “Hillside Stranglers,” Kenneth Bianchi, is currently being considered for parole in Washington state, and this has raised many eyebrows given the severity of his crimes. Retired FBI agent Jason Pack shared that the news is particularly distressing for the families of the victims, who lost their loved ones to gruesome acts of violence.
These families, which include mothers, sisters, and friends, endure ongoing trauma, making the parole hearing more than a mere formality. Bianchi, who now goes by Anthony Damato, was involved in a series of murders in the late 1970s targeting women and girls. Among these were two murders in Washington.
Pack noted that Bianchi’s past is filled with deceit and manipulation, characteristics that don’t fade with age. The calculated nature of his crimes — selecting victims, earning their trust, and then attacking — continues to haunt many. He even attempted to escape accountability even after his arrest. This behavior suggests a deeply ingrained risk that remains present.
In addition to the murders in Washington, Bianchi and his cousin, Angelo Buono, were convicted of five homicides in Southern California. Buono died in prison in 2002. Bianchi is also accused of other killings; however, he was never tried for these additional murders. Interestingly, he changed his name to Damato in 2023, which some view as a strategy to obscure his past.
There’s some confusion about why he is even eligible for a parole review. According to Pack, legal requirements dictate that individuals serving certain sentences must have their parole considered at specified intervals. However, this doesn’t necessarily indicate that a release is imminent. The seriousness of his original crimes plays a critical role in these evaluations.
Even at 74, Pack expressed concern that Bianchi’s mindset — characterized by the same manipulative tendencies that led to his crimes — is still a factor. For those worried about public safety, Pack reassured them that even if Washington grants him parole, he would not be released into the community due to pending charges in California.
Realistically, as Pack mentioned, Bianchi may remain in incarceration until he passes away. Parole doesn’t guarantee freedom, especially given the significant legal hurdles still in his way. Ultimately, the lessons from these tragic events emphasize the importance of community safety and the need for justice.
Bianchi, during his time as a security guard in Bellingham in January 1979, was implicated in the murders of two students from Western Washington University. Law enforcement suspects he may be linked to approximately 10 other similar cases in California.
Initially pleading guilty in Washington to avoid the death penalty, Bianchi received two life sentences without the possibility of parole. Throughout his incarceration, he has persistently sought to overturn this conviction, asserting his innocence, and claiming coercion in obtaining his confession.
Despite multiple attempts for parole being denied in both Washington and California, he was expected to face a hearing in May 2025, which has since been postponed. The parole board’s decision is anticipated by July 23rd.
