Angelo Buono was born on October 5, 1934, in Rochester, New York to first generation Italian emigrants from San Buono. Buono had developed an extensive criminal history, ranging from failure to pay child support, grand theft auto, assault and rape. In 1975, when Buono was 41 years-old, he came into contact with his cousin, Kenneth Bianchi. A self-described "ladies man", Buono persuaded Bianchi to join him in prostituting two women he had been holding as virtual prisoners.