Where Is Cameron Hooker Now?

All nine episodes of Unsolved Mysteries Volume 3 are streaming on Netflix now, and over the past three weeks, viewers have been stunned to learn about a variety of unexplained cases, including the whereabouts of David Carter's suspected killer Tammy Williams, the mysterious disappearance of Josh Guimond and the strange death of Patrick Mullins.

One case in particular that remains on audiences' minds is the unsolved disappearance of 18-year-old Marie Elizabeth Spannahke, who was last seen on January 31, 1976.

On November 7, 1984, Janice Hooker told police that her husband, Cameron Hooker, had kidnapped and killed Spannhake on January 31, 1976. However, he was never charged with Spannhake's disappearance or death and her whereabouts remain unknown.

Newsweek has everything you need to know about Cameron Hooker today.

Where Is Cameron Hooker Now?

Today, Cameron Hooker is serving 104 years in prison for the kidnap and rape of Colleen Stan in 1977.

Stan, 20, had been abducted just a little over a year after Spannhake disappeared.

He was sentenced in 1985 and at the time, the sentencing judge stated Cameron Hooker was "the most dangerous pyschopath ever encountered."

Stan and Spannhake's Case Connection

Stan's and Spannhake's cases became eerily connected when on November 7, 1984, Cameron Hooker's wife, Janice, told police that he had kidnapped and killed Spannhake on January 31, 1976. Her admission to police came two months after Stan was able to escape Hooker's captivity in August 1984.

Stan had been held captive by Cameron Hooker as a sex slave for seven years and was imprisoned in a box under the couple's bed for up to 23 hours a day. She was orally raped by Cameron Hooker, tortured and forced to sign a contract, calling herself his "slave."

In November 1984, Janice Hooker told police they had kidnapped Stan when she was hitchhiking from her home in Eugene, Oregon, in 1977.

Janice Hooker went to the police about her husband's crimes when she feared for her own and her children's safety and she was granted immunity from prosecution for her cooperation in the Stan and Spannhake investigation. She later testified against her husband at his trial.

She told police how they had offered Spannhake a lift home in January 1976, but that Cameron Hooker had stopped her from leaving the vehicle. He then took her to their house, torturing her and ultimately killing her.

With the help of his wife, Cameron Hooker buried Spannhake's body in a shallow grave at Lassen Volcanic National Park, Janice Hooker told prosecutors. However, her body has never been found.

Stan was able to support Janice Hooker's claims about Cameron Hooker's involvement in Spannake's disappearance, telling police he had a picture of the 18-year-old in their home, which she saw every day for seven years.

However, due to a lack of physical evidence, the District Attorney's office didn't pursue a murder charge against Cameron Hooker regarding Spannhake. He also denied any involvement in her disappearance.

Cameron Hooker Today

Over the years, Cameron Hooker's requests for parole have been denied.
Originally, he was only eligible for parole in 2023, but this was brought forward to 2015 under California's Elderly Parole Program as he is over 60 years old and had served 25 years of his sentence.

His request for parole was ultimately denied and he isn't eligible for another hearing until 2030, according to KXTV.

Speaking after the hearing, Luis Patino, a spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told KXTV: "Fifteen years, I believe, is the longest period we give anyone.

"That signifies that the board thought this inmate was far from suitable and has much to work on."

A spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told Newsweek: "Cameron Hooker was released from prison to parole on Sept. 27, 2021; however, he is not on parole supervision in the community. Hooker is currently in the custody of the California Department of State Hospitals undergoing Sexual Violent Predator proceedings pursuant to state law."

If you have any information regarding Spannhake's disappearance, you can send a tip to unsolved.com/tips.

Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of Unsolved Mysteries are streaming on Netflix now.

Update 11/04/22, 11:58 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include comment from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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