Debbi Domingo-McMullen just added the hyphen to her last name but it wasn't because she had gotten married.

It was because the man who allegedly killed her mother was finally arrested 37 years after her death.

"Now that they've got him I can use my married name. The risk was real," she said Saturday in the exhibition area at CrimeCon in Nashville.

Domingo-McMullen's mother Cheri Domingo was killed July 27, 1981, by the Golden State Killer.

The Golden State Killer is the moniker used for a serial killer and rapist who terrorized California from 1974 through 1986. He was also referred to as the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker.

The serial killer is suspected to be responsible for more than 12 deaths, more than 50 rapes and more than 120 burglaries.

On April 25, authorities announced they had arrested Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., 72, of Citrus Heights, Cali., and charged him with eight counts of first-degree murder based on DNA evidence that implicates him in the deaths of victims of the Golden State Killer.

Domingo-McMullen was one of three GSK survivors to attend CrimeCon 2018 in Nashville, held May 4-6 at Opryland Hotel. She joined victims Jane Carson-Sandler and Margaret Wardlow on the first of two panel discussions about the case that has made headlines in the past few weeks. Also on the panel were Billy Jensen, Paul Haynes, and lead detective and fangirl heartthrob Paul Holes.

The three-day convention brought fans of true crime and websleuths from across the nation face to face with some of the celebrities in the field. From podcasters to FBI investigators, they were there to discuss some of the nation's biggest mysteries like the Golden State Killer.

Domingo-McMullen's mother, Cheri Domingo was raped and killed July 27, 1981, in Goleta, California. Cheri Domingo's 27-year-old boyfriend Greg Sanchez was also killed in the brutal attack.

Domingo-McMullen was a rebellious 15-year-old almost 40 years ago when her mother was killed.

It was that rebellious streak that likely saved her life that night.

At the time she lived mostly with her mother but, being a typical teenager, Domingo-McMullen and her mother butted heads often.

"Mom and I were going through something," she said, explaining she was couch-surfing at friends' houses when the attack occurred.

Domingo and Sanchez were housesitting for Domingo's aunt, who was trying to sell the house.

On July 26, 1981, a real estate agent had a showing with one buyer when an unknown man appeared also wanting to view the home. Investigators believe he removed a window screen to later gain entry to the home.

The Golden State Killer broke in during the early morning hours of July 27, 1981.

"Greg fought back so he shot him in the face," Domingo-McMullen said.

With Sanchez incapacitated, The Golden State Killer hog-tied Cheri Domingo and raped her.

"Then he beat them to death," Domingo-McMullen said.

The beatings were so bad, Cheri Domingo was virtually unrecognizable, her daughter said.

Domingo and Sanchez were discovered later that morning by a real estate agent who was showing the house.

For the next nearly 37 years, Domingo-McMullen lived knowing her mother's murderer was still on the loose.

But Domingo-McMullen said she always believed investigators would find a way to solve the crime. She just wasn't sure GSK would still be alive when he was discovered.

"If (DNA) can solve our crime, it can solve anything," she said.

Now she has to wait for the justice system.

"I'm looking forward to the trial. I'm ready to write my victim impact statement," Domingo-McMullen said.

CrimeCon 2019 will be held June 7-9 in New Orleans.

Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com. Or you can find more Middle Tennessee Mysteries here.