The bianchi (L.A. hillside strangler) case: Sociopath or multiple personality?

Abstract

The case of Kenneth Bianchi (the Los Angeles Hillside Strangler) has been controversial ever since he was first arrested in Jan. 1979. Under hypnosis, he manifested what appeared to be a multiple personality. An underlying personality, Steve, whose existence was apparently unknown to Bianchi, claimed responsibility for the 2 murders in Bellingham [Washington, USA] and those in Los Angeles. The court appointed 5 other consultants to examine the defendant. On April 20, 1979, the Steve personality was activated without a hypnotic induction. It described many murders in Los Angeles, indicating which ones he (Steve) had done and which ones Bianchi''s cousin (Angelo Buono) did. The major personality (Ken) appeared to be amnesic to all this. Two additional personalities were elicited by Martin Orne, another consultant. Orne would not accept the diagnosis of multiple personality. He diagnosed Bianchi as an antisocial personality (sociopath) and claimed that he was a clever malingerer. He also asserted that Bianchi had never been hypnotized. The evidence, Rorschach tests, intelligence tests, handwriting samples, art creations, plus recorded sessions by Watkins, Orne and others, are analyzed. The diagnosis of multiple personality is strongly supported.