Photographer Pleads Not Guilty To Model’s Murder

A photographer pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of murdering a model whose body was found buried in the mountains and a newspaper reported that police wondered if they had a serial killer on their hands.

Pictures of women who look dead were found in the home of photographer Charles Rathbun, the Daily Breeze of Torrance reported.

“We may be looking at a serial killer,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Rathbun, 38, was arraigned Monday on a charge of third-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $1 million.

A Jan. 5 hearing was ordered. The judge granted defense requests that Rathbun be permitted to shower, shave and make calls to his family and attorney.

Deputy District Attorney Stephen R. Kay, who co-prosecuted Charles Manson, will prosecute Rathbun.

Linda Sobek, a former Los Angeles Raiders cheerleader, vanished Nov. 16, leaving a message saying she was going to a modeling assignment, but not giving details. Family and friends said she had worked with Rathbun before. He specialized in car magazine and calendar photos.