A Not-So-Fairytale Marriage
Sharon Marie Huddle, the ex-wife of the infamous Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, has a story that unveils the unsettling reality behind closed doors.
A Regular Family Man?
When Joseph DeAngelo, a former law enforcement officer, was finally apprehended in 2018, the world discovered that the man responsible for 13 murders and nearly 50 rapes appeared outwardly ordinary. His crimes spanned from the mid-1970s to 1986, creating fear across California’s suburban communities.
The Early Years
Joseph DeAngelo and Sharon Marie Huddle tied the knot in 1973, a year marked by DeAngelo’s entry into law enforcement. They seemed like a typical young family, raising three daughters while DeAngelo pursued a career in policing.
Brewing Trouble
Trouble surfaced early in the marriage, with the Visalia Ransackings allegedly starting in 1974, just a year into their union. Despite the crimes and a failing marriage, the couple remained together, even as they reportedly stopped sharing a bedroom.
Escalation of Crimes and a Fractured Marriage
As the ’70s turned into the ’80s, DeAngelo’s criminal activities escalated from burglary to rape and, ultimately, murder. Reports suggest that Huddle was unaware of her husband’s dark side, as he deceived her with lies about his nighttime activities. By 1991, their marriage legally ended in separation, but they remained officially married until DeAngelo’s arrest in 2018.
Sharon Huddle Speaks Out
Following DeAngelo’s arrest, Sharon Huddle released a statement expressing her pain, revealing trust issues and severe PTSD. She acknowledged living with the knowledge of the devastating impact her ex-husband had on innocent lives. Huddle’s daughters, however, seem to have thrived despite the family’s dark past.
Life After Darkness
As of 2018, Heavy reported that Huddle’s law license remained active, indicating she continued to practice law. Her daughters, cautious about their online presence, deleted most of their social media accounts. Despite the trauma, they found success – one pursuing a PhD and another becoming a doctor. Huddle, now a grandmother, continues to rebuild her life.
A Conviction and Closure
In June 2020, Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 counts of kidnapping and 13 counts of murder, receiving a life sentence. The hope now is that DeAngelo’s arrest brings some measure of peace to the families of his victims and his own, knowing that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
In unraveling the truth about Sharon Marie Huddle’s life with the Golden State Killer, we glimpse into a world of deception, shattered trust, and the resilience of a family determined to move beyond the darkness.
