I live in Sacramento and definitely remember this case. There was a strong rumor (repeat, RUMOR) that the EAR was actually someone in law enforcement who was involved in the investigation. I usually would completely dismiss this idea, but an interesting dynamic is in play with this case - retired local LE who were active while this was ongoing get very confrontational when the case is mentioned in casual conversation. One retired officer told one person, "Do not look into that case - Leave it alone." I find that reaction odd, to say the least.
I do know one citizen who believes to this day that he observed the EAR. The man he says is the EAR was a collector for subscribers to the Sacramento Union, a daily afternoon paper that since folded (and has recently been ressurected as a weekly newpaper). He passed this information to the lead detective on the case, but the detective was killed on-duty about a week later during an unrelated case. The witness does not know if his information ever made it into the case file or if his suspect ever was investigated. He cannot get anyone currently active on this case to verify that they have his info, but they also do not seem that interested in agressively investigating it either.
The sad fact is that Sacramento LE failed to catch this guy and that he "graduated" into a full-fledged serial killer. I do not think that they want to find this guy - they just want everyone to forget about it. Capturing him today will only point out their past failure.