Los Angeles in the late 1970s was a city under siege. Women vanished from the streets only to appear days later as discarded trophies on the dusty hillsides surrounding the city. It was a time of pure panic that changed the way Angelenos lived their lives.
Now, the detective who ended that reign of terror is finally ready to speak. MGM+ is set to premiere a groundbreaking four-part limited series titled “The Hillside Strangler” on January 18. This highly anticipated docuseries promises to unearth new details about the case that defined an era of California crime.
A Fresh Look at a Dark Chapter
True crime enthusiasts have dissected the Hillside Strangler case for decades. Yet this new production from MGM+ offers something previously unheard. Frank Salerno, the legendary homicide detective who led the task force, is breaking a forty year silence. Salerno has largely avoided the media spotlight regarding this specific investigation until now.
Showrunner Peter LoGreco has crafted a narrative that goes beyond simple reenactments. The series utilizes the inverted pyramid of evidence. It starts with the gruesome discovery of bodies and leads to the complex psychological profile of the killers.
The production team secured exclusive access to key players in the investigation. This includes never-before-seen files and recordings. The series aims to transport viewers back to a time when DNA testing did not exist and police work relied on grit and instinct.
Key details about the premiere:
- Network: MGM+
- Premiere Date: January 18, 2026
- Director: Peter LoGreco
- Episode Count: 4 Episodes
- Key Interview: Frank Salerno (Lead Investigator)
-
vintage los angeles police badge on dark detective desk
The Reign of Terror in Los Angeles
The moniker “Hillside Strangler” initially suggested a lone wolf predator. The reality was far more disturbing. The violence was the work of two cousins, Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono. They operated with a chilling level of deception that allowed them to lure victims into their vehicle.
They often posed as undercover police officers to gain the trust of their targets. This betrayal of public authority caused widespread paranoia across Los Angeles. No woman felt safe getting into a car or walking alone at night.
The cousins turned the Hollywood Hills into a graveyard. They left bodies in plain sight. This was not just about murder for them. It was about terrorizing a city and mocking the authorities who were desperate to stop them.
The Atmosphere of 1970s LA:
- High Crime Rates: The era saw a spike in serial violent offenses.
- Fear: Hitchhiking, once common, virtually disappeared overnight.
- Media Frenzy: Every nightly news broadcast opened with the latest grim discovery.
- Task Force: The investigation became the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history.
The Detective Who Hunted Monsters
Frank Salerno is a name that commands respect in law enforcement circles. His resume reads like a history of Los Angeles crime. Salerno did not just catch the Hillside Stranglers; he later captured the Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez.
This series focuses heavily on Salerno’s perspective during the 1977 and 1978 investigation. He faced immense pressure from the public, the press, and city officials. Every day the killers remained at large was a failure in the eyes of a terrified public.
Salerno relied on old school police work. He tracked down vehicle registrations and connected disparate clues that others missed. His partnership with other investigators eventually connected the LA murders to crimes Bianchi committed in Washington state.
“It was the case that defined his career and set him on the path to later bring down the Night Stalker.”
That dogged pursuit is the emotional core of this new series. It is not just about the killers. It is about the toll such a case takes on the human beings tasked with solving it.
Voices From Behind Bars
The narrative takes a shocking turn with the inclusion of the killers themselves. Angelo Buono died in prison in 2002 from a heart condition. However, Kenneth Bianchi remains alive and incarcerated at the Washington State Penitentiary.
Bianchi has provided new audio commentary for this series. This marks a significant departure from his usual refusal to participate in documentaries. His participation adds a chilling layer of psychological manipulation to the viewing experience.
Bianchi originally pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty. He then agreed to testify against his cousin Buono. However, his testimony was filled with contradictions and attempts to fake multiple personality disorder.
This series explores whether Bianchi is finally telling the truth or playing one last game. It juxtaposes the stoic, factual account of Detective Salerno against the shifting narratives of a convicted serial killer.
Viewers will have to decide who to believe. The contrast between the dedicated lawman and the manipulative criminal creates a tension that drives the four episodes forward.
The scars left by the Hillside Strangler case have never fully healed for Los Angeles. This series attempts to provide closure by shedding light on the few remaining shadows of the investigation.
Are you planning to watch this deep dive into LA history? Share your thoughts on true crime ethics using #HillsideStranglerMGM on social media.
