March 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Suspected Santa Monica Serial Killer’s Trial Begins

Michael Thomas Gargiulo charged in stabbing deaths of two LA woman and attempted murder of Santa Monica woman.

By Sam Catanzaro

Opening statements began this week in the trial of a 43-year-old serial killer from Santa Monica charged in the stabbing deaths of two Los Angeles women in addition to an attempted murder of a woman in Santa Monica.

On Thursday, prosecutors described Michael Thomas Gargiulo, the “Hollywood Ripper”, of Santa Monica as a methodical predator who stalked victims before breaking into their homes.

Gargiulo is suspected of the murders of 22-year-old fashion designer Ashley Elleri in her Hollywood Hills home in 2005 and of 23-year-old Maria Bruno at her El Monte apartment. Elleri was the then-girlfriend of Ashton Kutcher. In addition, Gargiulo faces charges for the 2008 attempted murder of a neighbor in her Santa Monica home. Illinois prosecutors also charged him in 2011 for the August 14, 1993, murder of Tricia Pacaccio, an 18-year-old Glenview woman who was repeatedly stabbed outside her home.

Murder charges against Gargiulo include special circumstance allegations of murder by means of lying in wait.

“What you will hear is that Michael Gargiulo, for almost 15 years, was watching, always watching,” said prosecutor Daniel Akemon. “And his hobby was plotting the perfect opportunity to attack women with a knife in and around their homes.”

In the Santa Monica case, Gargiulo’s DNA was found in the blood splatter at the scene of the crime. The victim, Michelle Murphy, was reportedly in bed in her Euclid Street home when she awoke with a knife plunged into her. Murphy fought off the attacker and survived the incident.

Prosecutors described Gargiulo as a serial sexual-thrill killer and are seeking the death penalty.

The trial is expected to last around six months and include testimony from approximately 250 witnesses, including possibly Kutcher. Gargiulo has pleaded not guilty.

Gargiulo is expected to be extradited to Illinois after the Los Angeles trial wraps up.

<>Related Posts

Holey Moley in Santa Monica Serves up Festive Jameson Whiskey Cocktails for St. Patrick’s

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Whiskey, Guinness & Mini-Golf: Holey Moley’s Irish-Themed Drinks Are Here With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Holey Moley...

More Pacific Palisades Residents Join Lawsuit Against L.A. Over City’s Fire Response

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Residents Expand Legal Action Over City’s Alleged Fire Response Failures Twenty-five additional Pacific Palisades residents have joined a lawsuit against...

Owners of Palisades Villa Seek to Rebuild, Help its Displaced Residents

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

The fundraiser states that the loss has left them in a dire financial situation A Pacific Palisades couple who lost...

Palisades Fire Evacuee Identified as Woman Found Dead on Santa Monica Beach

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later determined her cause of death to be blunt force head trauma Authorities have...

Disaster Relief Deadlines Extended Financial Aid Available for Small Businesses and Homeowners

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Grant Opportunities, FEMA Assistance, and Property Tax Relief for Wildfire Survivors LA County and Federal officials have extended the application...

County Supervisor to Push For New Homelessness Department in Response to LAHSA Audit

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

Horvath labeled LAHSA’s issues “a nightmare,” aligning with growing frustration among elected officials Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath called...

Executive Function Coaching Practice Opens in Santa Monica 

March 10, 2025

March 10, 2025

By Susan Payne Forgetful. Unorganized. Distracted. Impulsive. These may be difficult, yet commonly used words to describe yourself, or a...

Rifkin Raanan Leads Renowned Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentistry

March 9, 2025

March 9, 2025

By Susan Payne Subtle differences in training, expertise, technological capabilities and amenities make all the difference when choosing the best...

‘All in One’: Mirror Mirror Med Spa Specializes in Skin, Face and Body Treatments

March 9, 2025

March 9, 2025

One of the top med spas in Los Angeles is at the top for a reason: state-of-the-art, minimally invasive, customized...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

March 7, 2025

March 7, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

THIS WEEKEND: Mardi Gras Parade Returns to Venice Boardwalk

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

The Tradition of Mardi Gras in Venice Dates Back to 1914 When a Louisiana Native Introduced the Celebration to the...

Water Ban to End, Power Lines to be Buried in Palisades as Recovery Efforts Accelerate

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

Officials outlined the record-setting removal of hazardous debris and unprecedented utility restoration Nearly two months after wildfires devastated the Pacific...

Nude Man Charged in Violent Sawtelle Attack: Faces Prison for Attempted Rape and Child Assault

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

Concerned Citizens Stopped the Vicious Attack After Victim Screamed for Help  A Los Angeles man has been charged with multiple...

Film Review: Riff Raff

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

FILM REVIEWRIFF RAFFRated R103 MinutesReleased February 28th You may think that a film titled Riff Raff is a fun, light-hearted,...

Woman Arrested in Connection With Santa Monica Arson Fires

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

The Fires Were Set at Multiple Locations, Including a Trash Container Near a Bus Stop A woman was arrested early...