Escaping Rodney Alcala – How Monique Hoyt Survived a Serial Killer

Have you ever heard of someone escaping from a dangerous person? Monique Hoyt was one of the few who got away from Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who tricked people by pretending to be a photographer.

She was just a teenager when she went through a terrifying experience but managed to survive. Her story is one of bravery and quick thinking. In this article, we will share how Monique Hoyt escaped and helped bring a dangerous man to justice.

Who is Monique Hoyt?

Monique Hoyt, a 15-year-old girl, found herself in a terrifying situation with a notorious criminal named Rodney Alcala. This happened back in 1979. She was just a teenager trying to get home by hitchhiking.

Not much is known about her life before or after this because she’s kept things private, but what happened with Rodney changed her life big time. She’s one of the few people who got away from him and lived to tell the story.

Who is Rodney Alcala?

Rodney Alcala was a guy who seemed nice on the outside but was actually a dangerous serial killer. He was born in 1943 in Texas and moved to Los Angeles as a kid. Despite his intelligence, college education, and military service, he harbored a darker side.

He liked hurting people, especially women and girls, and he killed a lot of them—some say maybe over 100, though only 8 were proven in court. He got famous for going on a TV show called The Dating Game in 1978, where he acted all charming, but behind that smile, he was already doing awful things.

People later called him “The Dating Game Killer” because of that show. Rodney had a creepy habit: he loved taking pictures. He’d trick people by saying he was a photographer and ask them to pose for him. Then he’d attack them. Despite numerous arrests, he managed to escape until the police permanently imprisoned him in 1979. He died in jail in 2021.

When and Where It Started

On February 14, 1979, Valentine’s Day—Monique was hitchhiking in Riverside County, California. That’s a place near Los Angeles. She was just trying to get home, probably worn out and cold when Rodney pulled up in his car. He was 35 years old then, way older than her, and he offered her a ride. She said yes, thinking he’d help her out.

First Stop: His Apartment

Instead of taking her home, Rodney drove her to his apartment. This was probably in Los Angeles or somewhere close, but it was his home base. There, he attacked her and raped her. Monique was stuck, scared, and alone with this guy who was way stronger than her.

Next Stop: The Mountains

After that, Rodney didn’t let her go. He put her back in his car and drove her to a lonely mountain area near Banning, California. That’s about an hour or two from Riverside, a quiet place with rocky hills and no one around.

He told her he wanted to take pictures of her, which was his usual trick. He made her pose in her underwear, snapping photos while she was terrified. Then he got violent again. He hit her on the head with a rock, trying to hurt her badly—or maybe even kill her. He tied her up and kept attacking her, doing awful things like raping her again.

How She Got Away

Monique was super brave. Even though she was hurt and scared, she didn’t give up. When she woke up after getting hit, she pretended she wasn’t mad at Rodney. She told him she liked him and wanted to stay with him—like she wasn’t going to run. This was smart because it made him trust her.

He agreed to drive her back toward Riverside County. On the way, he stopped at a gas station to use the bathroom. That’s when Monique saw her chance. As soon as he was out of the car, she jumped out and ran for help. She found someone to call the police and told them everything.

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Aftermath: February 1979 and Beyond

The police arrested Rodney soon after Monique got away, but here’s the crazy part: his mom bailed him out of jail. So, he was free again for a little while. Monique’s escape happened in February 1979, and Rodney didn’t get locked up for good until July 1979, when he got caught for killing a 12-year-old girl named Robin Samsoe.

Even after Monique told the police what he did, he killed at least two more people before they stopped him. Years later, in 2010, Monique—now 46—went to court to tell her story again.

She faced Rodney, which was really hard for her. She was shaking and needed a police officer to sit with her because seeing him brought back all the fear. Her words helped make sure he stayed in jail. He got the death penalty, but he died of natural causes in 2021 before that happened.

Woman of the Hour

“Woman of the Hour” is a 2023 American crime thriller directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut. One section of the film explains what happened to Monique Hoyt. The film is inspired by the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who, in 1978, appeared on an episode of the television show “The Dating Game” amid his murder spree.

Anna Kendrick stars as Sheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette who unknowingly chose Alcala as her date. The movie explores the chilling events surrounding Alcala’s appearance on the show and the broader societal issues of the time. “Woman of the Hour” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2023, and was released on Netflix on October 18, 2024.

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Final Words

Monique Hoyt’s story is all about being brave and smart. She got away from Rodney Alcala by tricking him and running at the right moment. Her quick thinking saved her life and later helped put him in jail for good. Her quick thinking and presence of mind showed how strong a person can be, even when things get really bad.