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Mom's Near-Death Encounter with Trailside Killer
24 Feb
Summary
- Lisa Rinna's mother survived a brutal 1960 attack by the Trailside Killer.
- The serial predator, David Carpenter, stabbed and bludgeoned Rinna's mother.
- Carpenter later committed multiple murders after a light sentence for the attack.
In 1960, Lois Rinna, mother of Lisa Rinna, survived a violent kidnapping and assault by her co-worker, David Carpenter, the notorious "Trailside Killer." Carpenter attacked Lois, stabbing and bludgeoning her, but a military policeman intervened, leading to Carpenter being shot. Despite surviving severe injuries, Carpenter served only seven years before being released and subsequently convicted of at least seven more murders in Northern California between 1970 and 1981.
Candice DeLong, a retired FBI profiler, noted Carpenter's "blitz" attack style, contrasting with other serial killers who employed luring tactics. She expressed surprise that Carpenter isn't more infamous, suggesting Ted Bundy's notoriety and the growing public interest in true crime later on may have overshadowed him. Carpenter, now 95, was on death row and has since been transferred to a California healthcare facility. Lois Rinna passed away in 2021 at 93, having lived a life marked by resilience despite her traumatic experience.
