‘Pillowcase Rapist’ Reported Recovering From Beating His Victims Are Making Plans To Press For His Return To Jail

The condition of convicted “pillowcase rapist” Reginald Muldrew continued to improve Saturday in a Gary, Ind., hospital as some of his victims in Los Angeles vowed to press for his return to jail.

The 48-year-old Muldrew - whose nickname came from his habit of covering victims’ heads with pillowcases to keep them from identifying him - was severely beaten two weeks ago by residents who reportedly saw him leave a robbery victim’s house.

Doctors at Gary’s Methodist Hospital upgraded his condition to serious from critical Saturday after Muldrew regained consciousness from a coma induced earlier by physicians unable to treat him because of his thrashing about in bed.

Gary police investigators said Saturday that Muldrew had not been arrested or charged in the Aug. 5 robbery.

The alleged victim, Gary resident LaSandra Morris, was reportedly forced to lie on the floor with a pillow over her head as the robber snatched a purse and fled.

Police in Gary could not confirm reports by a Los Angeles-area women’s activist that police have found a witness who can identify Muldrew as the robber and that they plan to arrest him Monday.

Susan Carpenter McMillan, president of the Pasadena-based Women’s Coalition, said she was personally informed of authorities’ plans Saturday by Gary Police Chief John Roby.

She said Indiana officials may be able to try Muldrew as a career criminal, making him eligible for a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

At a news conference at McMillan’s home, one of Muldrew’s rape victims pledged to travel to Indiana to press for a law that requires sex offenders to register with authorities.

Unlike California, that state does not have such a statute.

The victim, a 38-year-old marketing executive who identified herself only as Ann, said Muldrew attacked her in 1979. “He wasn’t given enough time in prison the first time. I want to make sure the right thing is done this time,” she said.

California authorities have linked Muldrew to as many as 200 sex crimes in the late 1970s.

He was released from prison in December after serving 16 years of a 25-year sentence for rape, robbery and burglary.

McMillan said she dropped a plan to travel Saturday to Indiana with several rape victims after another activist, lawyer Gloria Allred, announced her intent to do the same thing. McMillan said she did not want to contribute to a “circus atmosphere” there.