Gerald Cavanaugh
The San Francisco Police Department has authorized a $250,000 Reward for the identification, arrest, and filing of charges against the suspect (s) responsible for the homicides of these 6 men.
The San Francisco Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in solving six unsolved homicides that occurred in the Ocean Beach area between January 24, 1974, and June 1975. Investigators believe the victims were targeted because they were gay, white adult males. The killings occurred during late-night and early-morning hours, and the victims likely did not know the suspect prior to their encounters.
The first known victim, Gerald Cavanaugh, was found on January 24, 1974, near Ulloa Street and the Great Highway after an anonymous caller alerted police. Investigators believe all victims met the suspect shortly before they were killed in isolated coastal locations.
Early investigations suggested a possible connection to two violent attacks in July 1975 at the Fox Plaza Apartments in San Francisco. While initially considered related, that link has not been confirmed.
Cold case investigators have since identified an individual connected to the Fox Plaza attacks. This person of interest is alive and resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Although there are similarities and circumstantial connections, no definitive link has been established between this individual and the Ocean Beach homicides.
Investigators have also developed information that, after coming to the attention of law enforcement, this individual may have traveled by car from the Bay Area through the southeastern United States and onward to the eastern United States. In coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, homicide cases nationwide from that time period have been reviewed for similarities. To date, no confirmed leads have been identified, though additional case files remain under review.
The investigation remains active. Advances in forensic technology continue to provide new opportunities for leads.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the SFPD Homicide Cold Case Unit:
- Daniel Cunningham at 1-415-553-9515
- Daniel Dedet at 1-415-553-1450
- Tom Newland at 1-415-553-1144
- Dominic Celaya at 1-415-553-9856
Information may be provided anonymously. Persons wishing to stay anonymous may contact the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or by sending a text message to Text-A-Tip at TIP411, beginning the text message with "SFPD".