Maria Bruno was a young mother of four, ready to start her new life away from her abusive husband. She never dreamed the new home she picked out for its safety and security features would be the very place her life would end. Michelle Murphy was a young, athletic woman living near the beach in Santa Monica. What began as an unremarkable, mundane evening turned into the most traumatic night of her life. But her story is different. She survived.

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Episode Sources:

“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019

“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024

“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026

“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019

“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010

“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019

“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011

“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023

“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021

“GLENVIEW MAN DISCOVERS DAUGHTER FATALLY STABBED” Chicago Tribune, Aug 15, 1993

“The Chilling Case Of The Hollywood Ripper” by Michael Crooks, Marie Claire Australia, Oct 28, 2019

“Did Alleged “Hollywood Ripper” Michael Gargiulo Kill Tricia Pacaccio?” By Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, June 15, 2011

“Michael Gargiulo: The serial killer next door?” 48 Hours, Aug 18, 2012

“Hollywood Ripper Penalty Phase - Victim Impact Statements - Douglas Picaccio & Thomas Pacaccio” Law & Crime Network - YouTube, Oct 7, 2019

“The Hollywood Ripper - EP 05: Survivor” by Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood, hosted by Kelly Hyman, Mar 15, 2024

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18-year-old Tricia Pacaccio was a straight-A student, a member of the National Honor Society and an award-winning debater. She was just one week away from beginning her freshman year at Purdue University where she planned to study biomedical engineering. However, after a celebratory night out with friends her life ended in the most brutal way right on her very own doorstep.

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Episode Sources:

“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019

“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024

“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026

“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019

“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010

“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019

“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011

“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023

“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021

“GLENVIEW MAN DISCOVERS DAUGHTER FATALLY STABBED” Chicago Tribune, Aug 15, 1993

“The Chilling Case Of The Hollywood Ripper” by Michael Crooks, Marie Claire Australia, Oct 28, 2019

“Did Alleged “Hollywood Ripper” Michael Gargiulo Kill Tricia Pacaccio?” By Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, June 15, 2011

“Michael Gargiulo: The serial killer next door?” 48 Hours, Aug 18, 2012

“Hollywood Ripper Penalty Phase - Victim Impact Statements - Douglas Picaccio & Thomas Pacaccio” Law & Crime Network - YouTube, Oct 7, 2019

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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While you await Part 2 of our Hollywood Ripper series we've got a fun bonus episode for ya! Our special guest today is actor Patrick Mulvey. He plays Phil, Halle Berry's jerk of a co-worker in the new film "Crime 101," also starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. In Season 2, Episode 3 of "The Pitt" he plays Benny, a father who is believed to be abusing his young daughter. We promise he's not an asshole, folks, he just plays them on screen, and he's here to tell us all about what Halle Berry smells like, what it's like to poop your pants in public, and why you should never moon an entire restaurant full of people.

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It was the night of the Grammy Awards - February 21, 2001. 22-year-old fashion student Ashley Ellerin set out the outfit she planned to wear to a Grammys after-party. Having just taken a shower, she was about to blow dry her hair when someone came to the door. Tragically, her life was cut short just moments later.

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Episode Sources:

“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019

“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024

“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026

“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019

“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010

“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019

“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011

“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023

“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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Before her name was tied to a federal indictment, Shannon Richardson was known for appearances on television shows like The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries. In 2013, she became the center of a national criminal investigation involving letters sent to high-profile political figures. As investigators peeled back the layers, the case revealed a calculated act that carried consequences far beyond the headlines.

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Episode Sources:

“Texas Woman Sentenced for Sending Ricin Letters” from July 16, 2014, Dallas U.S. Attorney’s Office

“Woman sentenced for sending ricin-laced letters to president sues East Texas jail officials from April 17, 2015, KLTV

“ETX woman indicted for sending ricin letters” from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Published June 28, 2013, Updated August 27, 2013, KLTV

“Man at center of ricin investigation attended James Bowie High in Simms” by Paige Alexander, May 31, 2013, Texarkana Gazette

“Texas father gets custody of ricin-suspect's baby” by the Associated Press, August 27, 2013, WFAA

“New Boston, Texas Woman Indicted For Ricin Letters” by Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, June 28, 2013, United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas

“Shannon Richardson gets 18-year jail term for posting ricin” from July 17, 2014, BBC News

“East Texas woman who mailed ricin to President Obama denied reduced sentence” by Meredith Billings, September 24, 2025, KLTV

“Texas Ricin Suspect Who Tried to Frame Husband Cuts a Deal” by Dean Schabner and Melissa Lustrin, November 23, 2013, ABC News

“Actress Shannon Richardson pleads guilty in ricin case” from December 10, 2013, BBC News

“The Story Of Shannon Richardson, The ‘Walking Dead’ Actress Who Mailed Deadly Poison To President Barack Obama” by Marco Margaritoff, Edited By Erik Hawkins, Published March 15, 2022, All That’s Interesting

“Shannon Richardson” from IMDb

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Brandon Lee was on the brink of becoming a major movie star when The Crow came his way. The movie became inseparable from the idea that something darker hung over its production. The legend of a curse took hold and didn't let go. The cult classic film had many accidents surrounding it, but the one that took Brandon's life would leave a permanent mark on Hollywood.

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Episode Sources:

“The Crow” on IMDb

“Brandon Lee” on IMDb

“Eliza Hutton Breaks Silence 28 Years After Fiancé Brandon Lee's Death in the Wake of 'Rust' Shooting” by Dan Heching, October 25, 2021, People

“Actor Brandon Lee was killed by a prop gun, years before the 'Rust' shooting death” by Giulia Heyward, January 20, 2023, NPR

“D.A. announces negligence caused death of ‘The Crow’ actor Brandon Lee” by HISTORY.com Editors, Published November 13, 2009, Updated May 27, 2025, History

“‘It was a horrific night’: 30 years on from the on-set death of Brandon Lee” by David Smith, May 13, 2024, The Guardian

“How Did Brandon Lee Die on the Set of The Crow?” by Samantha Graves, August 25, 2024, Collider

“Brandon Lee Apparently Killed by .44 Bullet : Movies: Even after autopsy finding, North Carolina police are still treating the actor’s death as accidental.” by Patrick Boyle, April 2, 1993, Los Angeles Times

“Things About Brandon Lee's Death That Don't Make Sense” by S. Flannagan, August 17, 2024, Grunge

“Brandon Lee’s loved ones remember ‘The Crow’ star 30 years after his death” by Alli Rosenbloom, April 8, 2023, CNN

“How A Tragic Mistake On A Movie Set Led To The Death Of Brandon Lee” by Marco Margaritoff, Edited by John Kuroski, Published April 8, 2023, Updated September 25, 2025, All That’s Interesting

“Cursed Films: The Crow Curse Explained” by Keith Deininger, April 23, 2020, ScreenRant

“The Crow Movie Curse Explained” by Richard Milner, August 17, 2024, Grunge

“The ‘curse’ of The Crow might be an urban legend – but the franchise still can’t escape it” by Geoffrey Macnab, August 23, 2024, The Independent

“Brandon Lee” from Unsolved Mysteries

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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Kirsty MacColl is remembered by most people as the voice sparring with Shane MacGowan on Fairytale of New York, but her story goes far beyond one Christmas song. She was a sharp songwriter and a working musician, with several hit records. When Kirsty was killed during a diving trip in Mexico in December 2000, the official explanation left her family with more questions than answers. What followed was years of investigation, public campaigning, and frustration.

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Episode Sources:

“Kirsty MacColl Exclusive: Singer’s Mum Fights for Justice” by Mirror.co.uk, December 21, 2005, Updated February 3, 2012, Mirror

“Singer Kirsty MacColl dies” by BBC News, December 19, 2000, BBC

“WHO KILLED KIRSTY MACCOLL?” from BBC Documentaries, September 26, 2004, BBC

“Ex-husband of Kirsty MacColl believes wrong person charged for her death” by Chloe OKeeffe, December 18, 2025, MSN

“Tragic story behind Kirsty MacColl’s death as man driving speedboat that killed her speaks out for first time” by Olivia Burke, December 21, 2025, LadBible

“Tragic Kirsty MacColl's 'Fairytale of New York' Royalties Secrets Revealed 25 Years After Her Horrific Powerboat Death” by Aaron Tinney, January 3, 2026, AOL

“Kirsty MacColl changed controversial Fairytale of New York lyric before her death” by Rhianna Benson, December 23, 2025, Tyla

“Kirsty MacColl’s ex-husband says ‘Fairytale Of New York’ singer’s death was “cover-up” to protect Mexican billionaire” by Tom Skinner, December 18, 2025, NME

“Kirsty MacColl’s tragic last words during boat accident that killed her” by Olivia Burke, December 22, 2025, LadBible

“EXCLUSIVE: 'Mum's tragic speedboat death gives me flashbacks 25 years on' says Kirsty MacColl's son” by Karen Rockett News Reporter and Hannah Britt, Senior Reporter Mirror Features, November 22, 2025, Mirror

“'I WAS driving the speedboat that killed Kirsty MacColl': Deckhand breaks 25-year silence on Fairytale of New York icon's tragic death in Mexico - as her family claim it was a cover-up” by Greg Woodfield, US Senior Reporter and Fred Kelly, Feature Writer and Jacob Dirnhuber, Published December 20, 2025, Updated December 21, 2025, Daily Mail

“The Day the Music Died” by Alix Kirsta

“Who Killed Kirsty MacColl? (2004 Documentary)” from Mandy Doubt on YouTube, July 30, 2020

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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We're back this week with the conclusion of the Bobby Fuller case. Although, can we really call it a "case" if the police didn't bother to do an investigation? Bobby's death was quickly written off as an example of a young rock 'n' roller whose star burned a little too fast and too bright. However, the scene where he was found told a much more sinister story...

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Episode Sources:

“The short life and mysterious death of Bobby Fuller, rock'n'roll king of Texas” by Chris Campion, The Guardian, Jul 16, 2015

“I Fought the Law: The Life & Strange Death of Bobby Fuller” by Miriam Linna & Randell Fuller, Kicks Books, 2014

“Broken melody: The Bobby Fuller story, parts 1-4” by Edna Gundersen, El Paso Times, June 1982

“Setting the Record Straight on Bobby Fuller” No Depression, July 21, 2010

“The End of the Innocence” SPIN Apr 1991

“L.A. Confidential” by John Ratliff, Texas Monthly, May 2000

“Celebrating a Disturbing New Bio, Bobby Fuller’s Band Rocks Burbank” by Tim Appelo, The Hollywood Reporter, Mar 10, 2015

“A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Episode 138” by Andrew Hickey, Dec 1, 2021

Gary James’ interview with Bobby Fuller’s son, John Novak

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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*We have a bit of biznasty to go over in the beginning so if you want to go straight to the story, skip ahead to around the 9:12 mark.

23-year-old Bobby Fuller, the self-proclaimed “Rock ‘n’ Roll King of the Southwest,” was climbing the charts with hits like “Let Her Dance” and “I Fought the Law” when his life was abruptly cut short. Police quickly wrote his death off as a suicide and there was no criminal investigation. However, the circumstances surrounding Bobby’s death strongly suggest foul play.

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Episode Sources:

“The short life and mysterious death of Bobby Fuller, rock'n'roll king of Texas” by Chris Campion, The Guardian, Jul 16, 2015

“I Fought the Law: The Life & Strange Death of Bobby Fuller” by Miriam Linna & Randell Fuller, Kicks Books, 2014

“Broken melody: The Bobby Fuller story, parts 1-4” by Edna Gundersen, El Paso Times, June 1982

“Setting the Record Straight on Bobby Fuller” No Depression, July 21, 2010

“The End of the Innocence” SPIN Apr 1991

“L.A. Confidential” by John Ratliff, Texas Monthly, May 2000

“Celebrating a Disturbing New Bio, Bobby Fuller’s Band Rocks Burbank” by Tim Appelo, The Hollywood Reporter, Mar 10, 2015

“A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Episode 138” by Andrew Hickey, Dec 1, 2021

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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CW: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse.

It's a mini, Misfits! In this VIDEO episode we're talking about the recent allegations against actor/director Timothy Busfield (but don't worry, we balance it out with some lighter topics...the Golden Globes!).

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Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

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