william george bonin (8 january 1947-23 february, 1996) also known as the freeway killer was an american serial killer. he raped, tortured, and killed of at least 21 children and young people in 1979 and 1980 in southern california. bonin is also suspected of 15 more murders. described by the prosecutor in his first trial as "the most diabolical person that ever existed," bonin was convicted of 14 murders in two separate trials in 1982 and 1983. he was executed by lethal injection in san quentin state prison on february 23, 1996.