Offender Record · OFF-2026-030
David Carpenter (photo from the Radford University biography)
David Joseph Carpenter
Also known as The Trailside Killer, The Mount Tam Killer
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
5'10"
Born
1930
Custody
Incarcerated
States
CA, US
Distinguishing featuresPronounced stutter; balding; crooked and yellow teeth; white and hairless hands (document)
Custody
Incarcerated at California Health Care Facility, Stockton · #1-EB-114L
Custody record at the facility
Transferred to California Health Care Facility in May 2025 from San Quentin State Prison where he had been housed on death row since November 1984.
This record documents arrests, charges and convictions reported by courts, law enforcement agencies and news organizations. Every statement is tied to a cited source with an archived copy. A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt; a person charged is presumed innocent unless convicted. Solve the Case does not allege that this person committed any offense beyond what the cited records state, and this record is not a suggestion that the person is connected to any unsolved case. How records are built, corrected and removed.
Summary of the record
David Joseph Carpenter was convicted of seven murders and multiple sexual assaults against women hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in Santa Cruz and Marin counties, California between 1979 and 1981. He was convicted in two separate trials: in 1984 in Los Angeles County of murders in Santa Cruz County and in 1988 in San Diego County of five murders in Marin County. Carpenter received two death sentences and is currently incarcerated at California Health Care Facility in Stockton after his transfer from San Quentin State Prison in May 2025.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Jul 11, 1960, San Francisco, California
Assault with intent to commit murder; Assault with a deadly weapon (2 counts)
U.S. Federal Government · U.S. Federal Court · Federal assault statutes · Arrested Jul 11, 1960 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Total 14 years: 5 years on each of two counts and 4 years on one count, concurrent
On July 11, 1960, Carpenter attacked a female acquaintance in the Presidio. He bound her with clothesline, stabbed her hand with a knife, and struck her head at least six times with a claw hammer. Military Police Officer Jewell Hicks interrupted the attack and shot Carpenter twice, wounding him. Carpenter attempted to shoot Hicks but missed.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David; David Carpenter; David Carpenter: The Serial Killer Who Made California Parks His Human Hunting Ground
Offense date Jan 27, 1970, San Francisco Bay Area, California
Rape; Assault with intent to commit rape; Kidnapping (2 counts); Armed robbery; Auto theft; Escape
County of Santa Clara, California / County of Santa Cruz, California · Superior Court · California Penal Code sections covering rape, kidnapping, robbery, auto theft, escape · Arrested Feb 03, 1970 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Armed robbery: 5 years to life; Kidnapping: 1 year to 25 years; Auto theft: 6 months to 5 years; Escape: 6 months to 5 years
Between January 27 and February 3, 1970, Carpenter committed multiple assaults. On January 27, he rear-ended and attacked a 19-year-old woman, stabbing her. Same day he kidnapped and raped another woman. On January 29, he held a third woman at shotgun point. On February 3, he kidnapped and raped a fourth woman with her infant child present. Arrested same day. Also charged in separate Santa Cruz plea bargain October 29, 1970 for kidnapping and robbery.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David; David Carpenter
Offense date Aug 19, 1979, Marin County, California
First-degree murder (Edda Kane); Attempted rape (or rape with no penetration)
Marin County, California · Unknown · California Penal Code · Arrested May 14, 1981
Edda Kane was shot and found naked in Mt. Tamalpais State Park on August 19, 1979. No sexual penetration confirmed. Body left at scene. Related to DNA match confirmed in 2010 linking Carpenter to Mary Frances Bennett.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David
Offense date Aug 19, 1979, Marin and Santa Cruz counties, California
First-degree murder of Heather Scaggs; First-degree murder of Ellen Marie Hansen (separate Marin County trial charges)
Marin County charges, tried in San Diego County · Superior Court of California, County of San Diego · California Penal Code · Arrested May 14, 1981 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (gas chamber) - second death sentence
Retrial of Marin County victims after 1995 juror misconduct was discovered and overturned but later reinstated by California Supreme Court. Mistrial declared June 14, 1989 because juror Barbara Durham had knowledge of Carpenter's Santa Cruz conviction and death sentence. Later retried and found guilty of all Marin County charges.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David; People v. Carpenter Supreme Court of California
Offense date Mar 08, 1980, Marin County, California
First-degree murder (Barbara Swartz)
Marin County, California · Unknown · California Penal Code · Arrested May 14, 1981
Barbara Swartz was stabbed repeatedly and found in Mt. Tamalpais State Park area on March 8, 1980. Evidence against Carpenter is described as robust but he was never convicted.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David
Offense date Oct 11, 1980, Marin County, California
First-degree murder of Cynthia Moreland; First-degree murder of Richard Stowers; First-degree murder of Anne Alderson; First-degree murder of Diane O'Connell; First-degree murder of Shauna May; Rape of Anne Alderson; Rape of Shauna May; Attempted rape of Diane O'Connell
San Diego County Superior Court (trial location) · Superior Court of California, County of San Diego · California Penal Code sections for first-degree murder with special circumstances, rape, attempted rape · Arrested May 14, 1981 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (gas chamber)
On October 11, 1980, Richard Stowers (19) and Cynthia Moreland (18) were shot and killed at Point Reyes. On October 15, 1980, Anne Alderson (26) was raped and shot three times, found near Mt. Tamalpais. On November 28, 1980, Diane O'Connell (22) was raped, strangled with wire, and shot; Shauna May (25) was shot, possibly raped, both found in shallow graves at Point Reyes. All five victims shot with .38-caliber revolver with ballistics matching other murders. Trial held in San Diego County due to pretrial publicity.
SourcesTrailside Killer David Carpenter, already facing the death penalty...; Radford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David; People v. Carpenter Supreme Court of California
Offense date Mar 29, 1981, Santa Cruz County, California
First-degree murder of Ellen Marie Hansen; First-degree murder of Heather Scaggs; Attempted murder of Steven Russell Haertle; Rape of Heather Scaggs; Attempted rape of Ellen Marie Hansen
Los Angeles County Superior Court (trial location) · Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles · California Penal Code sections for first-degree murder with special circumstances, rape, attempted rape · Arrested May 14, 1981 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Death (gas chamber)
On March 29, 1981, Carpenter attacked 20-year-old Ellen Hansen and Steven Haertle while they were hiking at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. He announced his intent to rape Hansen, sexually assaulted her, and shot both victims with a .38-caliber revolver. Hansen died; Haertle survived and identified Carpenter. On May 2, 1981, Carpenter lured co-worker Heather Scaggs, age 20, to Big Basin State Park under pretense of purchasing a car, raped her, and shot her. Her body was found May 24, 1981. Trial held in Los Angeles County due to pretrial publicity.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David; In re Carpenter (1995) :: California Supreme Court Decisions; Trailside Killer David Carpenter, already facing the death penalty...; Ellen Marie Hansen (1961-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
7
Victims convicted
0
Victims confessed
3
Victims suspected
Active years
1979–1981
Victim profile
Young women, Couples, Hitchhikers, Travelers or motorists, Strangers
Stated motive
Sexual
Range from home
regional
Education
high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
3
Military discharge
honorable
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
CA
San Francisco, California
approx. 1930 – 1960 · Childhood home
Napa, California
approx. 1944 – 1946 · Napa State Hospital
California
approx. 1947 – 1950 · Unknown · California Youth Authority
San Francisco, California
approx. 1950 – 1960 · Married to Ellen Heattle; had three children
California
1961 – 1969 · Unknown · Federal prison for 1960 Presidio assault
San Francisco, California
1969 – 1970 · Paroled April 7, 1969; remarried Helen August 1969
Folsom, California
1970 – 1979 · Prison for 1970 kidnapping and rape convictions
San Francisco, California
Feb 1979 – 1981 · Key chain distributor and Econo Quick Print (printing shop)
San Francisco, California
May 21, 1979 – Sep 06, 1979 · Federal halfway house, then with elderly parents
San Francisco, California
Sep 06, 1979 – May 14, 1981 · Moved in with elderly parents after release from halfway house
San Quentin, California
Nov 16, 1984 – May 2025 · San Quentin State Prison death row
Stockton, California
May 2025 – present · California Health Care Facility, Stockton (transferred when San Quentin death row closed)
US
United States
approx. 1948 – 1950 · U.S. Coast Guard · coast guard
Known Vehicles
Vehicles and approximate dates of ownership or use, as reported in the cited records. A photo next to a vehicle is the vehicle itself as published.
1980 red Fiat – Red foreign car observed at multiple murder scenes by eyewitnesses
approx. 1980 – 1981
Seen at crime scenes during murder spree. Used to transport victims.
Timeline
May 06, 1930
David Joseph Carpenter born in San Francisco, California to Elwood and Frances Carpenter.
1944
At age 14, Carpenter committed to Napa State Hospital for sex offenses.
1947
At age 17, Carpenter molested two cousins and was sentenced to California Youth Authority.
Jul 11, 1960
Carpenter attacked Lois DeAndrade with clothesline, knife, and claw hammer in the Presidio, San Francisco; Military Police Officer Jewell Hicks interrupted and shot Carpenter.
Mar 09, 1961
Carpenter sentenced to 14 years in U.S. Federal Court for 1960 assault on DeAndrade; prison psychiatrist reported sociopathic personality disorder and IQ of 125.
Apr 07, 1969
Carpenter paroled from federal prison after serving approximately eight years.
Jan 27, 1970
Carpenter attacked Cheryl Lynn Smith, stabbing her; same day kidnapped and raped Wilma Joyce and stole her car; next days attacked Sharon O'Donnell with shotgun and stole another car; on February 3 kidnapped and raped Barbara.
Feb 03, 1970
Carpenter arrested for kidnapping and rape spree.
Apr 27, 1970
Carpenter escaped from jail with four other inmates by cutting through bars and going out skylight; recaptured shortly.
May 01, 1970
Carpenter convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping, auto theft, and escape; sentenced to 5 years to life on robbery, 1 year to 25 years on kidnapping, 6 months to 5 years on auto theft and escape each.
Oct 29, 1970
Carpenter convicted of kidnapping and robbery through plea bargain in Santa Cruz County.
May 21, 1979
Carpenter paroled to federal halfway house.
Aug 19, 1979
Carpenter murdered Edda Kane; she was shot and left naked in Mt. Tamalpais State Park.
Sep 06, 1979
Carpenter released from halfway house and moved in with elderly parents.
Mar 08, 1980
Carpenter murdered Barbara Swartz; she was stabbed repeatedly and found in Mt. Tamalpais State Park area.
Oct 11, 1980
Rick Stowers (19) and Cynthia Moreland (18) disappeared; later found shot dead at Point Reyes.
Oct 15, 1980
Anne Alderson (26) found dead near Mt. Tamalpais State Park; she had been raped, shot three times, and redressed.
Nov 28, 1980
Carpenter murdered Diane O'Connell (22) and Shauna May (25); both raped, strangled, and shot in Point Reyes Park; found in shallow graves along with Stowers and Moreland.
Dec 28, 1980
Anna Kelly Menjivar disappeared; remains later found in Castle Rock State Park.
Jan 21, 1981
Candace Dawn Townsend moved in with Carpenter and his parents.
Feb 1981
Carpenter began working for Econo Quick Print.
Mar 29, 1981
Carpenter murdered Ellen Hansen (20) by shooting her in the head; attempted murder of Steven Haertle; both were hiking in Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.
Apr 30, 1981
Candace Townsend moved out of Carpenter's residence.
May 02, 1981
Heather Scaggs disappeared; later found dead in Big Basin Redwood State Park.
May 14, 1981
Carpenter arrested while walking his dog in San Francisco.
May 24, 1981
Heather Scaggs' body found in Big Basin Redwood State Park, covered with brush in shallow grave; had been raped and shot.
Jun 16, 1981
Kelly Menjivar's remains found in Castle Rock State Park.
Jul 31, 1981
Carpenter charged with 5 counts of murder, rape, and attempted rape in Santa Cruz County; change of venue granted to Los Angeles due to pretrial publicity.
Jul 06, 1984
Los Angeles jury found Carpenter guilty of all charges in Santa Cruz County murders (Ellen Hansen, Heather Scaggs, attempted murder of Steven Haertle, rape and attempted rape).
Nov 16, 1984
Carpenter sentenced to death for Santa Cruz County convictions.
Jan 31, 1985
Carpenter charged with 5 counts of murder, 2 counts of rape, and 1 count of attempted rape in Marin County.
May 10, 1988
San Diego jury convicted Carpenter of 5 counts of murder, 2 counts of rape, and 1 count of attempted rape in Marin County cases.
Jun 27, 1988
Carpenter sentenced to death a second time for Marin County convictions.
Jun 14, 1989
Mistrial declared in Marin County case because juror Barbara Durham had learned of Carpenter's Santa Cruz conviction and death sentence; later retried and found guilty.
Mar 06, 1995
California Supreme Court ruled in habeas corpus proceedings that Santa Cruz convictions would stand despite juror misconduct discovery; later upheld both death sentences.
Apr 28, 1997
California Supreme Court upheld the death penalty for Carpenter in Santa Cruz County cases.
Nov 30, 1999
California Supreme Court upheld the death penalty for Carpenter for the second time in Marin County cases.
May 2025
Carpenter transferred from San Quentin State Prison to California Health Care Facility in Stockton when San Quentin death row closed.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
News report · Yahoo News ·
San Quentin went from prison to rehab center. Where did death row inmates end up?“Serial killer and sex offender David Carpenter, also known as the Trailside Killer, was the oldest death row inmate in California before being transferred from San Quentin.”
News report · PrimeTimer ·
Where is David Carpenter a.k.a 'Trailside Killer' now?“The California Health Care Facility in Stockton received him on May 2025 after San Quentin State Prison closed its death row section.”
News report · A&E Television Networks ·
David Carpenter: The Serial Killer Who Made California Parks His Human Hunting Ground“He'd assaulted a young woman, Lois DeAndrade, with a hammer and a knife in 1960, for which he was convicted and served 7½ years.”
Other · Find a Grave ·
Ellen Marie Hansen (1961-1981) - Find a Grave Memorial“Ellen Marie Hansen was shot to death by Trailside Killer, David Carpenter while hiking with her boyfriend Steven Russell Haertle in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park near Felton, Santa Cruz, California on March 29, 1981.”
News report · Wikipedia ·
David Carpenter“David Joseph Carpenter (born May 6, 1930), also called the Trailside Killer, is an American serial killer and sex offender who raped and murdered various victims in the San Francisco Bay Area between 1979 and 1981.”
News report · San Quentin News ·
A Deeper Look Inside David Carpenter's Life“Carpenter, who has a pronounced speech impediment, accommodated the interviewer in front of his cell, #1-EB-114L, on San Quentin's Death Row.”
Other · Radford University Department of Psychology ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Carpenter, David“David Joseph Carpenter was born to Elwood and Frances Carpenter in San Francisco on 05/06/30”
News report · San Francisco Chronicle ·
Court lets penalty for 'Trailside Killer' stand“A state Supreme Court decision upholding the death penalty against the 'Trailside Killer' doesn't move the serial murderer much closer to an execution date.”
Court record · Justia ·
In re Carpenter (1995) :: California Supreme Court Decisions“In the Santa Cruz Superior Court, the People accused David Joseph Carpenter of certain offenses committed in that county in the spring of 1981.”
Court record · Stanford Law Supreme Court Database ·
People v. Carpenter Supreme Court of California“Evidence at the guilt and penalty trials established that defendant is the 'Trailside Killer' who terrorized Californians in 1980 and 1981.”
News report · United Press International ·
Trailside Killer David Carpenter, already facing the death penalty...“Trailside Killer David Carpenter, already facing the death penalty for two 1981 slayings, was convicted Tuesday of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of five others in 1980.”
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