File photo by Matt Brown/Flickr

There's a serial murderer on the loose in California. And we're not talking about the Zodiac Killer, who has never been found.

We're talking about the Golden State Killer, who has murdered and raped from Southern California to Sacramento.

Today the FBI renewed its call for help in finding a suspect. It's offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of this monster.

The killer operated from 1976 and 1986, committing 12 murders, about 45 rapes and dozens of home break-ins, the bureau says.

He's known more for his Northern California crimes, including attacks in the East Bay and Sacramento, though he has been connected to Southern California murders, rapes and burglaries, authorities said.

His attacks include rape and murder or attempted murder in Goleta (October 10, 1979, December 3, 1979, and July 27, 1981), Ventura (March 16, 1980), Laguna Niguel (August 19, 1980) and Irvine (February 6, 1981), agents say.

The spree stopped after July of 1981, they said, but then the killer reappeared on May 5, 1986 when he raped and murdered an 18-year-old woman in Irvine.

FBI

The killer's M.O. is chilling. "Burglaries in a neighborhood tended to precede clusters of sexual assaults," the FBI said in a statement. 

"His victims ranged in age from 13 to 41 and included women home alone, woman at home with their children, and couples," the bureau stated. "During the commission of the homicides, the subject tied up both victims, raped the female victim, and then murdered the couple."

Here's the FBI's description of one NorCal case:

On February 2, 1978, Rancho Cordova couple Sergeant Brian Maggiore and his wife, Katie, were on an evening walk with their dog, chased by the subject who overcame the couple, and shot at close range.

The murders and rapes have been linked by DNA or details of the crimes, agents said.

They urged folks to come forward with any tips, saying that suspects could be "quickly excluded by a simple, non-invasive test." The guy might be thought of as someone incapable of such horrific acts, investigators said.

The suspect is described as white, 5 feet, 10 inches with blond or light brown hair and an "athletic build." He's probably 60 to 75 years old now, agents said. See sketches below.

"He may have had an interest or training in military or law enforcement techniques as he was familiar and proficient with firearms," the FBI stated.

The creep has also been called the Original Night Stalker and the East Bay Rapist. If you think you might know who it is drop a dime at 1-800-225-5324 or click tips.fbi.gov. There could be $50,000 in it for you.

FBI

FBI

FBI