Joseph Naso, the ‘Alphabet Killer,’ may have targeted victims with matching initials as a twisted homage to Caryl Chessman, the ‘Red Light Bandit,’ according to cold case investigator Ken Mains. Mains, a retired FBI task force investigator, claims that Naso, who killed four women in the 1970s and 80s, may have idolized Chessman, a death row inmate who was executed in 1960. Mains’ assertions are detailed in the Oxygen true crime docuseries ‘Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer,’ which features Naso’s fellow death row inmate William Noguera, who reportedly helped solve the case. According to the series, Noguera learned that Naso was well-versed in the biographies of other notorious serial killers, including Chessman, and expressed a ‘lifelong devotion’ to him. Mains explained that Naso’s crimes may have been a tribute to Chessman, whose execution he allegedly attended as a pen pal. The documentary also explores Naso’s dark past, including his childhood hatred for his mother and his eventual descent into violence. Despite being a father of two and a Little League coach, Naso is believed to have committed his crimes under the guise of normalcy. Mains and Noguera are working together to solve the cold cases linked to Naso, with hopes of delivering answers to the families of the victims.
Chessman, known as the ‘Red Light Bandit,’ was convicted of robbery, automobile theft, and kidnapping with associated bodily harm. He was executed in 1960 under California’s ‘Little Lindbergh Law,’ which allowed the death penalty for kidnapping with bodily harm. Chessman never admitted to murder but maintained his innocence throughout his trial. Naso, who was found guilty of murdering four women, may have targeted them as a tribute to his so-called ‘mentor.’ The case is further complicated by the fact that Naso’s crimes span a lengthy period, and some of the victims’ identities remain unknown. Noguera, who spent over a decade building trust with Naso while in prison, compiled a 300-page dossier with cryptic clues and partial confessions. Mains believes that some of the information is only known to investigators closely tied to the case. The documentary highlights the emotional toll on the families of the victims, who have spent decades searching for answers. Mains hopes the documentary will not only solve the cold cases but also raise awareness about the importance of justice and redemption.