Hillside Strangler to plead for possible parole

Anthony D’Amato, known as the “Hillside Strangler,” will plead for parole on June 25, after being incarcerated since the late 1970s. His violent history includes the murders of numerous women in California and Washington, among them Western Washington University students Karen Mandic and Diane Wilder. D’Amato worked as a security guard in Bellingham at the time of their murders. His life sentence was modified in 1990, but he remains imprisoned until 2065 due to the severity of his crimes. The parole board’s decision will not only affect D’Amato's future but may also lead to discussions on public safety and the justice system’s handling of violent offenders.

If the board denies his request, there is a possibility of extending his sentence further. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the rehabilitation of serial offenders and community safety. Local residents are closely monitoring the outcome of this hearing, as it touches on broader issues of crime and punishment.