Rocklin, California – The “Tinder killer” has been sentenced to 71 years to life in prison for his involvement in a “horrific love triangle murder plot,” as reported by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.
Damon Allen Benson, 31, met his victims separately on the dating app Tinder, which resulted in jealousy, torture, and ultimately, murder. The female victim was held against her will and tortured multiple times before Benson ambushed and killed another man involved in the love triangle.
The surveillance footage proved otherwise to Benson’s claims of self-defense. It showed him running into the victim’s home in the middle of the night, followed by immediate gunfire and Benson running out of the home yelling ‘That’s right, [expletive].’ Benson was charged with murder, aggravated mayhem, torture, felony criminal threats, and false imprisonment by violence. The jury found him guilty of murder, torture, and mayhem in September 2023.
Benson’s actions were described by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Jeffery Moore as a clear danger to the public and a callous disregard for human life. He stated that removing Benson from society is the only way to ensure he doesn’t victimize anyone again.
The female victim, who was subjected to torture and abuse, had met Benson on Tinder and began seeing the other man, Cameron Gabriel, at the same time. She detailed the extent of the abuse, which included being tied to the ceiling with a rope and carving a swastika into the victim’s back. The victim stated that she eventually gave up Gabriel’s name, and Benson ended up killing him.
Benson’s sentencing to 71 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is a day for justice for the victim and the victim’s family, providing a measure of closure for the horrific crimes committed.