Following the remarks at the Nov. 12 “The People vs. the Golden State Killer” book launch, attendees participated in a lively Q&A session and book signing, celebrating both the release of the book and the culmination of decades of investigative work. Photo courtesy of D.A. Thien Ho

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho celebrated the launch of his new book, “The People vs. the Golden State Killer,” at the Sacramento Central Library's Tsakopoulos Library Galleria on Nov. 12.

Released on Nov. 11, the book achieved #1 New Release status on Amazon.

The memoir offers an extraordinary look at the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of Joseph James DeAngelo, one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history. Unlike most accounts, Ho's book centers on the survivors, investigators and prosecutors, highlighting their courage and perseverance while honoring the resilience of victims' families.

"Too often, the spotlight stays on the monster. I wanted to shift the focus to the heroes: the survivors, the investigators and the prosecutors who never gave up. They are the soul of this case," said Ho.

At the Nov. 12 event, Ho shared behind-the-scenes stories from the case, offering insights into both DeAngelo's criminal mind and the process of seeking justice.

Ho also highlighted the critical use of investigative genetic genealogy, which allowed investigators to trace distant relatives through public DNA databases and identify DeAngelo after decades. This breakthrough not only solved one of California's most infamous cold cases but has transformed how law enforcement tackles unsolved crimes nationwide.

"Justice, for me, was not just a sentence; it was a sense of peace for the survivors who carried these scars for decades. I came to this country as a refugee fleeing violence. To now serve as the elected district attorney and bring one of the nation's most brutal serial predators to justice was full circle. It is deeply rewarding to know that the work we did, including the breakthrough use of genetic genealogy, will have a lasting impact."

“The People vs. the Golden State Killer” is now available nationwide at major retailers and online. Photo courtesy of D.A. Thien Ho

Following the remarks, attendees participated in a lively Q&A session and book signing, celebrating both the release of the book and the culmination of decades of investigative work.

“The People vs. the Golden State Killer” is now available nationwide at major retailers and online.

For more information, visit https://www.thienho.org/.