Michael Thomas Gargiulo: The Hollywood Ripper
Introduction
Michael Thomas Gargiulo, also known as "The Hollywood Ripper," "The Boy Next Door Killer," and "The Chiller Killer," is a convicted American serial killer. Born on February 15, 1976, in Glenview, Illinois, Gargiulo committed a series of brutal murders and attempted murders between 1993 and 2008. He was sentenced to death on July 16, 2021.
Crimes
Gargiulo's crimes spanned over a decade and involved the brutal stabbing of his victims. Below are the details of his known crimes:
- Tricia Pacaccio: On August 13, 1993, Gargiulo stabbed 18-year-old Tricia Pacaccio to death on her back doorstep in Glenview, Illinois. Her father found her body the following morning.
- Ashley Ellerin: On February 21, 2001, Gargiulo murdered 22-year-old fashion student Ashley Ellerin in her Hollywood home. She was stabbed 47 times, with some wounds being up to six inches deep. Ellerin had planned a date with actor Ashton Kutcher on the night of her murder.
- Maria Bruno: On December 1, 2005, Gargiulo stabbed 32-year-old Maria Bruno to death in her home in El Monte, California. She was stabbed 17 times, and her breasts were mutilated.
- Michelle Murphy: On April 28, 2008, Gargiulo attempted to murder 26-year-old Michelle Murphy in her Santa Monica home. She fought off the attack, and Gargiulo's blood was found at the scene, leading to his eventual arrest.
Arrest and Prosecution
Gargiulo was arrested by the Santa Monica Police Department on June 6, 2008. He was charged with the murders of Ashley Ellerin and Maria Bruno, as well as the attempted murder of Michelle Murphy. On July 7, 2011, he was also charged with the first-degree murder of Tricia Pacaccio. Gargiulo was convicted of these crimes and sentenced to death on July 16, 2021.
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