Unusually for a serial killer, Bonin frequently worked with accomplices, recruiting four known young men to assist him:
: He dumped his victims' nude or partially clothed bodies alongside Southern California freeways, leading to his media nickname. Accomplices The way Killer William Bonin
: He primarily targeted young male hitchhikers, schoolboys, and sometimes male prostitutes, typically aged 12 to 19. He used a 1972 Ford van to prowl highways and neighborhoods, often luring victims with offers of rides, sex, money, or drugs. Unusually for a serial killer, Bonin frequently worked
Bonin’s crimes were characterized by a highly predatory and sadistic "business style". Bonin’s crimes were characterized by a highly predatory
: Once inside his van, victims were quickly overpowered and bound at their hands and feet with wire cords or handcuffs. To prevent escape, Bonin had removed the interior door handles.
: Most victims were sexually assaulted and tortured within the vehicle. He often used a tire iron or jack handle to bludgeon victims or to tighten garrotes in a unique "windlass" strangulation method that became his signature. At least two victims had ice picks driven into their ears.