Paul Holes

Paul Holes (b. March 15, 1968) is a former cold-case investigator for the Contra Costa County District Attorney. Holes is known for his contributions to solving the Golden State Killer case using advanced methods of identifying the killer with DNA and genealogy technology. Since retiring in March 2018, Holes has contributed to books, television, and podcasts about the Golden State Killer and true crime.

Holes studied at the University of California, Davis, from 1986 to 1990. There he received his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

Holes was sworn in as an investigator for deputy sheriff in Martinez, California, in 1994. In the same year, Holes first discovered the cold case files of the East Area Rapist (EAR). His interest in the cold-case was ignited and he remained close to the files, reviewing them any chance he had between active cases in Contra Costa County until a DNA break in 2001 expanded the case even further. When DNA from the EAR matched other unsolved murder crimes throughout California, the case again gained traction and had expanded in evidence.

After years of gathering evidence and using as many DNA samples as he could without depleting the evidence, Holes made contact with genealogist and scientist Barbara Rae-Venter. Rae-Venter used DNA from the Golden State Killer to construct a genetic profile of the suspect and create a family tree that was detailed enough to narrow down the suspects to Joseph James DeAngelo.

In March 2018, Paul Holes visited the Citrus Heights home of Joseph James DeAngelo on his final day as an investigator with Contra Costa County before his retirement. Holes watched the home for the activity of DeAngelo, who at the time was only a leading suspect tied to the Golden State Killer rapes and murders. Holes decided not to approach the home for fear of causing a disturbance or tipping off DeAngelo of any suspicion of his involvement as a suspect in the case. Using discarded DNA samples from DeAngelo's home, detectives were able to match his DNA to that known to be from the Golden State Killer. DeAngelo was later taken into custody by the Sacramento Police on April 24, 2018.

Holes became an internet sensation following the attention of his role while investigating and contributing to the writings of the Golden State Killer case with Michelle McNamara, the now deceased writer and creator of the famous Golden State Killer name. He has also been a celebrated name with Murderinos, fans of the popular My Favorite Murder Podcast, which started the #HotforHoles fanbase.

In 2019, Paul Holes and Investigative Journalist Billy Jensen released their true crime podcast called The Murder Squad that explores evidence and discussions of current unsolved murders, unidentified remains, and missing persons cases. The weekly podcast is a production of Exactly Right, a podcast network created by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, hosts of My Favorite Murder.

Paul Holes is currently married and has 2 daughters.

Holes has been published and featured in many media outlets in discussion with the Golden State Killer leading up to and following DeAngelo's arrest.

2019

• The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes - appears as himself

2018

• Evil Has A Name: The Untold Story of the Golden State Killer Investigation - writer, narrator
• Unmasking a Killer, season 1 episode 5 - appears as himself
• The Golden State Killer: It's Not Over, season 1 episode 4 - appears as himself
• The Golden State Killer: It's Not Over, season 1 episode 3 - appears as himself
• The Golden State Killer: It's Not Over, season 1 episode 2 - appears as himself
• The Golden State Killer: It's Not Over, season 1 episode 1 - appears as himself

2017

• 48 Hours on ID, season 8 episode 20 - appears as himself
• On the Case with Paula Zahn, season 15 episode 3 - appears as himself
• 48 Hours, season 30 episode 34 - appears as himself

2016

• Crime Watch Daily, season 2 episode 52 - appears as himself

2009

• MysteryQuest, season 1 episode 3 - appears as himself
• THS Investigates: The Original Night Stalker - appears as himself

2000

• Cold Case Files, season 2 episode 22 - appears as himself