Doreen Erbert was killed at her California home on Halloween in 1984 by her former husband William Michael Dennis, who arrived in disguise. Her pregnancy also ended in the attack, while her daughter survived by hiding. Dennis was convicted in the case.
Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.
San Jose, California. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Map sources checked September 14, 2026. No case-specific Odd Stops location was found in this review.
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Odd Stops
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MurderData
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ArcGIS essay
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Reddit map
Reviewed as a general resource. Its coordinates and victim counts were not adopted as case evidence.
“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.
Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
No verified fictional adaptation or inspiration has been identified in this collection. Nonfiction coverage is listed in the other media sections.
01Books
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02Movies
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03TV & documentaries
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Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
Oxygen
Snapped — Michael Dennis (S26 E7): case preview
Broadcaster clip or preview for this case’s episode. This link may show an excerpt rather than the full program.
IMDb episode reference connected to the Doreen Erbert case. Listed release: 2019. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
Original newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.
Featured newspaper clipping
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The Peninsula Times Tribune · 1984-11-02 · Page 12
Police investigate the Halloween attack on Doreen Erbert
Investigators examined the killing of Doreen Erbert and her unborn child after William Michael Dennis's arrest.
Continuation of an early investigation report. Contains graphic descriptions of violence.
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Case videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Murder With My Husband
Catching The Big Bad Wolf - The Murder of Doreen Erbert
Video from Murder With My Husband covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 39:21.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “San Jose Halloween Murders: Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Wicked and Grim: A True Crime Podcast — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “The Big Bad Wolf Murder - Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “The Halloween Murder of Doreen Erbert and her Unborn Son | THE BIG BAD WOLF.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “138. Halloween 1984: Machete Murder of Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Outside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.
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09Internet Archive
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10From the journal
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11Court records & documents
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Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.
Court opinionArchive copy
Dennis v. Broomfield — federal habeas opinion
The Ninth Circuit reviewed William Dennis’s federal habeas claims following the prosecution for the attack that killed Doreen Erbert and her unborn child.
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13Where are they now?
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The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.
A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.
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14Positive Outcome
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Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.
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Doreen Erbert — media, court records & case files | Unforgotten Casebook
07Social Media
11 itemsCase videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Murder With My Husband
Catching The Big Bad Wolf - The Murder of Doreen Erbert
Video from Murder With My Husband covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 39:21.
Watch on YouTubeCrimeatorium
The Disturbing Case of Doreen Erbert
Video from Crimeatorium covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 33:11.
Watch on YouTubeCalifornia True Crime
San Jose Halloween Murders: Doreen Erbert
Video from California True Crime covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 1:18:18.
Watch on YouTubeBritish royal family news
Even Horror Movies can't be THAT BRUTAL. Unbelievable Case of Doreen Erbert .True Crime Documentary.
Video from British royal family news covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 17:45.
Watch on YouTubeResidue: A True Crime Podcast
35: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf: The Halloween Murder of Doreen Erbert
Video from Residue: A True Crime Podcast covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 32:15.
Watch on YouTubeKiller Instinct Podcast
HALLOWEEK EPISODE 1: The Double Homicide on Halloween
Video from Killer Instinct Podcast covering the Doreen Erbert case. Length: 30:56.
Watch on YouTubeReddit · r/TrueCrimeDiscussion
Discussion: A Dad in Wolf’s Clothing (Doreen Erbert Case)
Public community discussion connected to Doreen Erbert. Posts and comments are reader perspectives, not independently verified reporting.
Read the discussionFacebook · Creator channel
California True Crime — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “San Jose Halloween Murders: Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageFacebook · Creator channel
Wicked and Grim: A True Crime Podcast — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “The Big Bad Wolf Murder - Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook pageTikTok · Creator channel
Crime Bit with Danelle Hallan — TikTok channel
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “The Halloween Murder of Doreen Erbert and her Unborn Son | THE BIG BAD WOLF.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the TikTok channelFacebook · Creator channel
Reverie True Crime — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “138. Halloween 1984: Machete Murder of Doreen Erbert.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook page