The Doodler

AI True Crime: The Doodler

Between 1974 and 1975, six gay men were killed in San Francisco in a series of murders that became one of the city's most disturbing unsolved cases. The killer became known as The Doodler because at least one surviving victim told police that the attacker claimed to be a cartoonist and sketched while talking with him at a late-night diner.

The victims were Gerald Cavanaugh, Joseph Stevens, Klaus Christmann, Frederick Capin, Warren Andrews and Harald Gullberg. San Francisco police believe all six were gay white men who encountered the killer shortly before their deaths, generally in isolated coastal locations. Warren Andrews, who was beaten rather than stabbed, was identified as a possible sixth victim decades after the original investigation.

The case became even more complicated because there were survivors. Their descriptions helped police create a composite sketch of the suspected killer in 1975. One survivor was reportedly a European diplomat, while another was a well-known entertainer. The social climate of 1970s San Francisco meant that publicly identifying themselves as gay could have enormous personal and professional consequences.

Police eventually received information pointing toward a possible suspect, including a report from a psychiatrist who believed one of his patients might be the killer. Investigators could not build a prosecutable case, however, and the Doodler disappeared from public attention for decades.

The case was reopened in the modern era, and investigators have continued examining old evidence, surviving witnesses and possible connections to other attacks. In 2026, San Francisco police renewed their appeal for information and are offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person responsible.

Sources and Further Reading San Francisco Police Department: The Doodler Cold Case

The primary current source for the case. SFPD's June 2026 announcement identifies the six homicides currently being investigated and describes what investigators believe about the victims, the suspect and the related Fox Plaza attacks.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-cold-case-unit-asking-publics-assistance-solving-six

SFPD: The “Doodler” Cold Case Investigation Update

The department's January 2023 update, including the identification of Warren Andrews as a possible sixth victim and the increase of the reward to $250,000.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/doodler-cold-case-investigation-update-23-009

SFPD: The “Doodler” 2022 Investigation Update

Earlier official documentation describing the surviving victims, the cartoonist story, the forensic sketch and the identification of Andrews as a possible sixth victim.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/doodler-cold-case-investigation-update-22-011

SFPD: Warren Andrews

The department's current case page for Warren Andrews, who was attacked at Land's End on April 27, 1975, never regained consciousness and died several weeks later.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/stay-safe/ongoing-investigations/homicides-and-cold-cases/warren-andrews

SFPD Doodler Crime Bulletin

The official SFPD crime bulletin describing the six suspected victims, the Fox Plaza attacks and the $250,000 reward.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/SFPDDoodlerCrimeBulletin-Jan2023-20230124.pdf

San Francisco Chronicle: The Doodler

Kevin Fagan's extensive investigation into the case, including the victims, surviving witnesses, original detectives, the suspect investigation and the modern cold-case investigation.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/

The Doodler: Drawing a Line to a Forgotten Serial Killer

The first installment of the San Francisco Chronicle investigation, providing background on Gerald Cavanaugh, Joseph Stevens, the original murders and the circumstances surrounding the Doodler's attacks.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-one/

The Doodler: One Victim Came to S.F. for a New Start

The second chapter of the Chronicle investigation, including Klaus Christmann and the investigation into the early murders.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-two/

The Doodler: No One Knew What He Looked Like

The Chronicle's investigation into the surviving victims and the creation of the original composite sketch.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-four/

The Doodler: Sketch Snares Suspects

An examination of the 1975 investigation, including Officer James Andre Boles, the original composite sketch and the numerous suspects questioned after its publication.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-five/

The Doodler: Searching for a Psychiatrist Who May Have Heard a Confession

The investigation into the psychiatrist who reportedly contacted police about a patient he believed could be the Doodler, and why investigators were unable to turn that lead into a prosecution.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-six/

The Doodler: A Sixth Victim? And Maybe More Outside the Bay Area

The Chronicle's investigation into Warren Andrews and the possibility that the Doodler may have committed additional attacks outside San Francisco.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/doodler-true-crime-podcast/chapter-seven/

San Francisco Chronicle: 2026 Doodler Update

The Chronicle's current reporting on SFPD's renewed appeal for information and the latest status of the investigation.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/sf-doodler-serial-killer-murders-22300023.php

The Victims

Gerald CavanaughFound near Ocean Beach in January 1974.

Joseph "Jae" StevensA 27-year-old entertainer found near Spreckels Lake in Golden Gate Park in June 1974.

Klaus ChristmannFound at Ocean Beach in July 1974.

Frederick CapinA nurse and Navy veteran found at Ocean Beach in May 1975.

Warren AndrewsAttacked at Land's End in April 1975 and died several weeks later. He was identified decades afterward as a possible sixth Doodler victim.

Harald GullbergFound at Lincoln Park in June 1975. He is generally considered the last of the six victims currently attributed to the Doodler.

The Investigation Today

The case remains unsolved.

SFPD's June 2026 announcement says investigators believe the six victims were targeted because they were gay white adult men and that they met the suspect shortly before being killed in isolated coastal locations. Police have also identified a person of interest connected to the two July 1975 Fox Plaza attacks, but have not established that this person is responsible for the Doodler murders.

The department is offering a $250,000 reward for information leading to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

Tips can be provided anonymously to SFPD.

https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org/news/sfpd-cold-case-unit-asking-publics-assistance-solving-six

Episode Warning

This episode discusses multiple murders, violence against gay men, homophobia and the social conditions surrounding the investigation in 1970s San Francisco.

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The next episode takes us somewhere very different: the Zebra Killings

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