Mind of a Monster: The Hollywood Ripper

Michael Gargiulo’s final victim bravely fights him off, leading to his eventual arrest. A media frenzy takes place as the serial killer takes the stand. With multiple powerful witness testimonies, shocking evidence and the death penalty on the table, a gripping court case takes place to determine Michael’s fate. Speaking with journalists, a victim’s friend, witnesses, experts and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward follows the court proceedings blow by blow to uncover what is in store for the Hollywood Ripper.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another woman is found murdered, and this time Michael has gone even further with his brutality. In the wake of the investigation, there is a break in the case. Clear patterns are emerging and link multiple overkill murders of young women to the possibility of one suspect – Michael Gargiulo. The heat is on, but Michael continues to terrorize the women around him. Speaking with detectives and experts, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates another frenzied murder and how Michael behaves when he has chosen his next potential victim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Detectives continue to work on finding Ashley Ellerin’s killer and finally their attentions turn to her neighbor, Mike the furnace guy. Police try to track Michael down, but it proves very difficult rather quickly. Dr. Michelle Ward digs into Michael’s past relationships to find that not only does he manipulate these women, but a series of terrifying behavior emerges. Speaking with victim’s friends and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward explores the manhunt and how patterns of Michael’s sadistic behavior is in all aspects of his life.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22-year-old Ashley Ellerin is found brutally murdered in her apartment by her roommate. The scene is closed off and police search for any evidence that identifies her killer. Detectives don’t know yet that it’s Mike the Furnace Guy and they open the investigation up to Ashley’s large circle of Hollywood friends, including a famous actor. Dr. Michelle Ward speaks with Ashley’s friend and detectives about the horrific ordeal and uncover the tragic details of her murder. Dr. Ward delves into Michael’s childhood with a psychologist to try to uncover what may have contributed to this heinous attack as an adult. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A teenage girl has been murdered in Gargiulo’s hometown on her front doorstep and when police look to question him after an unusual encounter with the victim’s parents, Michael has escaped to Los Angeles. Working as a bouncer and aspiring actor, Michael is not hiding in the shadows. He sets his sights on a young beautiful woman and begins to stalk and insert himself into her life under the guise of his new job – a heating and cooling repair man.  Speaking to experts and the victim’s friends, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates Michael’s stalking behavior and insertion into his victim’s life.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nathan Solis, journalist who covered the Hollywood Ripper trial, provides vivid courtroom and on-the-ground reporting. He narrates Michelle Murphy’s poised testimony and recounts the brutal 2008 attack and its aftermath. He details graphic evidence shown in court and captures the tense juror reactions. Short, intense courtroom storytelling and frontline reporting drive the conversation.

2000s Hollywood: the bright lights for dreamers who want to become famous. Michael Gargiulo made his name in another way – as a brutal murderer with no mercy. Watching, waiting and stalking his young and beautiful female neighbors, Michael bided his time until his opportune moment arrived – while they were sleeping.  Breaking into their safe havens - their homes - he butchered his victims and then moved to a new location in Tinsel Town to find his next target, all while evading capture from detectives who were trying to hunt him down. In this six-part series, criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward talks with friends and acquaintances of Michael Gargiulo, investigators, experts and attorneys from the case, all to uncover the twisted world of The Hollywood Ripper.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When he realizes that his demands are not going to be met, incarcerated serial killer Israel Keyes pulls off one final power play. To identify other victims Keyes murdered, frustrated investigators must try and piece together remaining clues. Do his paintings of skulls mean anything, or is he having the last laugh? The investigation into his secret crimes continues to this day.  Speaking with journalists and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward looks into potential victims of The Cross-Country Killer – and explores new information discovered in 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After getting caught using the victim’s bank card, Israel Keyes admits to killing local girl Samantha Koenig and disposing of her body in a frozen lake. When he gives a horrific blow-by-blow description of how he did it, investigators realize they have caught a very experienced serial killer. But Keyes won’t reveal any more victims unless they meet his impossible demands.  Speaking with detectives and experts, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates how this master of discretion abandoned his rules and ended up getting caught. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Anchorage, Alaska, 18-year-old Samantha Koenig is abducted while working at a coffee stand, sending panic through the city.  Police initially struggle to find a solid lead – until the kidnapper delivers a ransom note.  Following the trail down to Texas, FBI agents finally catch up with the suspect – a man called Israel Keyes.  But he claims to know nothing about the girl’s disappearance. Speaking with witnesses and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward explores the search for Samantha – and investigates how this crime differs from the typical Israel Keyes MO.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.