Stockton Arsonist VHS Tape

A VHS tape found by a father and son contained footage of a house fire, seemingly filmed by the arsonist. (The tape was found with other items that stoked fears of cult involvement during the "Satanic Panic" era).

• 📼 VHS tape depicts house fire and arsonist's narration.
• 👨‍👦 Father and son discover tape and alert authorities.
• 🔥 Arsonist narrates, expressing excitement and addressing "Omar."
• 🚨 Sirens and coyotes' howls captured on tape.
• 😱 Footage includes a clip from "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
• 🧥 Fatigue jacket, audio cassettes, and a glove found with the tape.
• 💀 Ceramic skull and wooden pestle found, raising cult suspicions.
• 😈 Investigators suspect satanic ritual connections (fueled by “Satanic Panic”).
• 🤔 Motive for leaving the tape remains unclear.
• 🔎 Investigators hope to find clues within the tape's contents.

California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire. CA's agency for fire protection.)

Figures/Stats: 1989