In an era when doors were left unlocked, and communities were deemed safe places, Richard Chase was the most terrifying of prospects. Born on the 23rd of May 1950 in Sacramento, California, Richard Chase had an abusive childhood. His parents were disciplinarians, and Chase’s father often beat him and his younger sister. By ten years old, Chase was showing signs of the Macdonald triad; arson, cruelty to animals and bed-wetting, which is known to lead to violence in adulthood.