The case of Leonard Lake and Charles Ng stands as one of the most harrowing chapters in American criminal history. What began as a routine shoplifting investigation in 1985 unraveled into a nightmare of survivalist paranoia, torture, and mass murder in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The Miranda Murders: A Timeline of Depravity
The duo’s crimes were inspired by John Fowles' novel The Collector, where a man kidnaps a woman to keep her as a "guest." Lake and Ng took this fantasy to a lethal extreme, building a concrete bunker on a remote property in Wilseyville, California.
Key Events and Discoveries
| Date | Event | Outcome |
| 1983–1985 | The Killing Spree | Between 11 and 25 victims were abducted and murdered. |
| June 2, 1985 | The Shoplifting Arrest | Charles Ng fled a hardware store; Leonard Lake was detained. |
| June 6, 1985 | Lake’s Suicide | Lake swallowed cyanide pills while in custody and died 4 days later. |
| July 6, 1985 | Ng’s Capture | Ng was arrested in Calgary, Canada, for shoplifting and shooting a guard. |
| 1991–1999 | Extradition & Trial | After a long legal battle, Ng was extradited and sentenced to death. |
| 2025 | New Identifications | Forensic genealogy identified Reginald Frisby and Brenda O'Conner among the remains. |
The Forensic Evidence at Wilseyville
When investigators arrived at Lake’s cabin, they were met with a scene described as a "killing field." The search of the property yielded:
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Human Remains: Over 45 pounds of charred bone fragments were recovered from shallow graves and burn pits.
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The Bunker: A cinder-block structure containing a hidden "cell," handcuffs, and a copy of The Collector.
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The "M-Ladies" Tapes: Videotapes recorded by the pair documented the systematic psychological and physical torture of their female victims.
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Handwritten Journals: Lake’s journals detailed his "Operation Miranda" plan to survive a nuclear holocaust with a harem of enslaved women.
Verified Data & Current Status (2025)
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Convicted Counts: Charles Ng was found guilty of 11 counts of first-degree murder (6 men, 3 women, and 2 infants).
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Estimated Victim Count: Authorities believe the total number of victims is likely closer to 25, including Lake's own brother, Donald Lake.
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Current Status of Charles Ng: As of late 2025, Ng remains on death row at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville.
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The Cost of Justice: His trial cost California over $10 million, making it the most expensive in state history at the time.
Direct Investigative Resources
For a deeper look into the legal proceedings and forensic details, you can access these verified sources:
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People v. Ng (2022) - Supreme Court of California: Direct Case Summary & Opinion
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Calaveras Cold Case Task Force - Official Updates: Forensic Identification Reports 2025
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Official Biography of Charles Ng: Legal and Criminal History
"We are pretty... cold-hearted, so to speak."
— Charles Ng to a victim on the recovered videotapes
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