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

Creeptastic theme music by:

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

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