By Matt Underwood Matthew Muller, the man dubbed the “Gone Girl” kidnapper after his 2015 guilty plea for the kidnapping and sexual assault of Denise Huskins, now faces new charges related to earlier home invasions. These charges, announced by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, stem from two separate incidents in 2009.
The first incident, occurring on September 29th, 2009, allegedly involved Muller breaking into a woman’s Mountain View home. He bound her, forced her to consume a mixture of medications, and threatened to rape her. The woman, however, managed to dissuade him, and Muller ultimately fled after suggesting she get a dog for protection.
Weeks later, on October 18th, 2009, Muller allegedly targeted a Palo Alto home. He bound and gagged another woman, forcing her to drink NyQuil before initiating an assault. Again, he was persuaded to stop the attack and, incredibly, offered the victim crime prevention advice before leaving.
These new charges highlight a disturbing pattern of behavior and raise serious questions about the initial handling of the Huskins kidnapping case. The initial police response was widely criticized for its skepticism towards Huskins and her boyfriend, who were subjected to intense questioning and public accusations of fabricating the entire incident. The police’s dismissive attitude, fueled by a superficial comparison to the “Gone Girl” narrative, meant they failed to properly investigate a crime and missed crucial evidence. This ultimately allowed Muller to remain at large and commit further attacks.
The police’s failure to take Huskins’ account seriously is particularly egregious considering she was kidnapped, held hostage for two days, and repeatedly raped. Their decision to publicly label her a liar after she had endured such a horrific ordeal is appalling and speaks to a systemic failure within law enforcement. This is a pattern seen repeatedly, from cases where abuse reports are dismissed as “civil matters” to instances of police refusing to intervene in dangerous situations.
The fact that the couple was even able to win a $2.5 million settlement for defamation demonstrates the severity of the police misconduct in this case. This instance, however, is not isolated. The Netflix documentary *American Nightmare* explores the complete failures of law enforcement, revealing a shocking disregard for the victim’s well-being and a complete lack of thorough investigation.
Muller’s actions, coupled with the police response, created a cascade of harm. The initial skepticism surrounding the Huskins kidnapping emboldened Muller to strike again, creating a situation where not only was the initial victim failed by the system but also creating additional victims. This points to a critical need for improved training and accountability within law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of believing victims and conducting thorough investigations, regardless of initial biases or assumptions.
Furthermore, the police seemingly missed several crucial opportunities to apprehend Muller sooner. The documentary illustrates several instances of easily traceable evidence being overlooked, such as a phone number that could have easily led police to Muller’s location. Their failure to properly follow standard investigative procedures underscores their overall incompetence and negligence.
While the documentary and subsequent investigation have clearly established Muller’s guilt, the case also illustrates broader systemic issues within law enforcement. The lack of trust between victims and police, often rooted in prejudice, biases, and a culture of impunity, undermines the safety and security of the community. The Huskins case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of failing to believe victims and to conduct thorough and impartial investigations.
Muller’s mental health, diagnosed as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, also plays a significant role in understanding his actions. This, however, does not excuse his crimes but rather provides context to his behavior. It highlights the need for better mental health support for individuals at risk and the importance of integrating mental health considerations into the criminal justice system. The sheer number of missed opportunities to prevent subsequent crimes from the same person underscores the necessity for more comprehensive and proactive approaches to both crime prevention and mental healthcare. The case of Matthew Muller serves as a tragic and complex reminder of the systemic failures that can occur when victims are not believed, investigations are flawed, and mental health concerns are ignored.