California has endured its share of natural disasters—but in the early 1970s, it faced a man-made horror unlike any other.
Herbert Mullin, a seemingly average young man from Santa Cruz, would soon become infamous as the serial killer who believed his murders were saving the world. Between 1972 and 1973, he brutally murdered 13 people, claiming that each killing prevented a catastrophic earthquake.
Fueled by schizophrenia and paranoid delusions, Mullin’s descent into madness turned him into one of California’s most chilling killers. Here’s how a promising student transformed into a man who thought only bloodshed could protect the West Coast.
A Promising Start and a Dangerous Decline
Born on April 18, 1947—the same day as the deadly 1906 San Francisco earthquake—Mullin later believed this was no coincidence. His early life showed none of the warning signs typical of serial killers. In high school, he was popular, athletic, and voted “Most Likely to Succeed.”
However, in his early 20s, Mullin began to unravel. Mental illness began to take hold. He checked into Mendocino State Hospital in his early twenties, where doctors diagnosed him with paranoid schizophrenia. Although he entered several psychiatric facilities over the years, none provided consistent or lasting care.
By 1972, the delusions had grown overpowering. Mullin believed the Earth demanded human sacrifices—and if he didn’t comply, California would suffer a catastrophic earthquake.
The Killings Begin: Blood for Earthquakes
At age 25, Herbert returned home to live with his parents in Santa Cruz. Unemployed and unmedicated, he gave in to the voices inside his head.
- On October 13, 1972, he beat Lawrence White, a 55-year-old transient, to death with a baseball bat.
- Just 11 days later, Mullin picked up 24-year-old Mary Guilfoyle and stabbed her repeatedly before disemboweling her, searching for signs of “impure blood.”
- On November 2, All Souls’ Day, he entered St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Los Gatos, claiming he needed confession. Inside, he murdered Father Henri Tomei—stabbing and stomping him to death in the confessional.
The killings escalated from there. He killed a young couple, an elderly man, a retired boxer, and even slaughtered an entire family, believing each victim fulfilled a “quota” to prevent disaster.
Every murder had no apparent connection—except for his schizophrenic belief that each death was a necessary sacrifice to stabilize the Earth.
The End of the Rampage: Caught by Chance
On February 13, 1973, Mullin shot Fred Perez, a 72-year-old man who was gardening in his front yard. A neighbor spotted the license plate and called the police.
Soon after, law enforcement pulled Mullin over and arrested him without resistance. At the station, he calmly confessed to 13 murders, claiming the Earth had been demanding blood to avoid a devastating quake.
The Trial of Herbert Mullin: Sanity on Trial
During his 1973 trial, Mullin’s defense argued that he was not guilty by reason of insanity. They cited his long-documented schizophrenia and erratic behavior. Additionally, his past LSD use and bizarre explanations of “telepathic messages” served as further evidence of delusion.
Nonetheless, the jury found him legally sane and guilty of 10 of the murders. He received multiple life sentences and remained incarcerated in California until his death in 2022 at age 75.
When One Killer Isn’t Enough: Edmund Kemper and Santa Cruz’s Nightmare
While Mullin committed his killings, another serial killer operated in the same city—the infamous Edmund Kemper, also known as the “Co-Ed Killer.”
Kemper murdered and mutilated six female college students, his mother, and his mother’s friend during the same time frame. The media dubbed Santa Cruz “Murder Capital of the World,” and investigators initially struggled to separate the cases.
Remarkably, both men ended up in the same county jail. Kemper, known for his manipulative charm, disliked Mullin’s erratic behavior. He reportedly threw water on Mullin and “trained” him like a dog, offering peanuts as a reward.
The irony was chilling: two mass murderers in the same jail, terrorizing each other just as they had terrorized their victims.
Herbert Mullin’s Death and Disturbing Legacy
Mullin died in prison on August 18, 2022. Though his name remains less well-known than Kemper or Manson, his crimes were no less horrifying. He killed because he believed the fate of California depended on it.
His life and crimes have been the subject of psychiatric studies, documentaries, and books. The case is now widely cited in discussions about mental illness, criminal responsibility, and the dangers of untreated schizophrenia.
FAQs: Herbert Mullin Serial Killer
Who was Herbert Mullin?
He was a serial killer who murdered 13 people in California between 1972 and 1973. He believed his killings prevented earthquakes.
What mental illness did Mullin suffer from?
He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which heavily influenced his motives and behavior.
Was he found insane?
Despite his mental illness, a jury found him legally sane and responsible for his actions.
How did he choose his victims?
Mullin believed he received telepathic messages telling him who needed to be sacrificed to prevent natural disasters.
What happened to him?
He was sentenced to multiple life terms and died in prison in 2022 at age 75.
Did he know Edmund Kemper?
Yes. Both were incarcerated in Santa Cruz County Jail at the same time, though their interactions were tense and disturbing.