In 1972, a beautiful seaside city in California is devastated by a series of missing students and hitchhikers. As the hills and ocean wash up human remains, detectives must find the killer in a frantic bid to restore calm to the frenzied murder capitol.

When an arrest is made, detectives pray they have caught their serial killer, then a gruesome discovery on the beach throws the whole case into question, causing investigators to question whether there is more than one murderer at large.

Aiko's mother begs detectives not to give up their search for her missing daughter. Detectives reach their breaking point under community pressure. A shocking phone call to patrol officer Jim Conner reveals a terrible and unexpected confession.