Cold Case Trail Leads To Hollywood

[odette]

BY NATASHA KORECKI AND FRANK MAIN Staff Reporters - August 28, 2008

Cold case trail leads to Hollywood

SUN-TIMES EXCLUSIVE | Longtime suspect in '93 Glenview murder linked to fatal stabbing of Kutcher girlfriend

A man long suspected in the unsolved brutal murder of a Glenview teen is now under investigation by California authorities in a series of other stabbing deaths, including that of actor Ashton Kutcher's onetime girlfriend, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

Michael Thomas Gargiulo, 32, is being held in Los Angeles on charges of attempted murder and burglary. He could be charged as early as next week in two murders in California because of a DNA match, sources say.

Years ago, his DNA was placed in a national database because he was a suspect in the Glenview murder.

It's a chilling development for the family of the Glenview victim, Tricia Pacaccio.

In 2004 -- before two of the California attacks -- Cook County investigators used new technology to retest DNA evidence in the 1993 stabbing death of Pacaccio.

The DNA matched Gargiulo, her former Glenbrook South High School classmate who lived one street away.

But Cook County prosecutors wouldn't charge him and still haven't, telling the family the evidence wasn't strong enough.

"If I ever, to this day, have one reason given to me -- I don't care what reason they give -- just give me a reason. Don't just say they couldn't convict him," mother Diane Pacaccio said. "Northwestern [University] students get people out of jail with DNA evidence. You mean they couldn't put him into jail with DNA evidence? I don't understand it."

John Gorman, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney, said he could not comment on evidence in the Glenview slaying.

"This remains an open investigation," Gorman said. "I cannot discuss evidence in any investigation before charges."

On Aug. 14, 1993, Tricia Pacaccio, a popular high school senior, was ambushed outside her home, stabbed to death as she tried to enter the front door. Her father found her body the next morning.

She was still holding the front door key.

Gargiulo was questioned at the time and said he saw her the day before -- but denied he killed her.

Almost eight years later, 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin was stabbed to death in her home in Los Angeles. Gargiulo lived blocks away from the fashion student, public records show.

In February 2001, Kutcher called to pick her up at her home to take her to a post-Grammy party, but when she did not come to the door, he left. A friend discovered her body the next day, police said. Kutcher married actress Demi Moore in 2005.

Gargiulo also could face charges in the unsolved 2005 slaying of a woman in El Monte, Calif., who lived near him when she was stabbed to death, sources said.

Gargiulo's father, reached at home Wednesday night, declined to comment.

Gargiulo is being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail on charges of attempted murder and burglary stemming from an attack earlier this year.

On April 28, a woman was alone when she was awakened by a man with a knife attacking her, police said. Evidence recovered at the crime scene was processed through California's DNA database and Gargiulo was identified, police said.

"As a result of his Chicago case, his [DNA] profile was already in CODIS," said Santa Monica police Lt. Darrell Lowe, referring to the national Combined DNA Index System.

Sources said Gargiulo's DNA matched DNA taken from Pacaccio's fingernails.

"There was a link to a case in Chicago some years ago," Lowe said of the Pacaccio murder in Glenview. "We made contact with investigators in Chicago to get an overview about their case."

At the time of his arrest by Santa Monica police, Gargiulo worked in the heating and air conditioning business. He lived very close to the victim, but they were not dating, Lowe said.

Diane Pacaccio said she hopes the California cases pressure Cook County to act on her daughter's murder.

"California detectives have told me Michael will never ever get out of jail," she said. "That gives me a little bit of relief and hopefully means he'll get the death penalty."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/11...cold28.article

[odette]

By CHRISTINA HOAG Associated Press Writer - Article Launched: 08/29/2008 07:06:23 PM PDT

Police: DNA links man to slaying of Kutcher's ex

LOS ANGELES—DNA evidence has linked an air conditioning repairman to the stabbing deaths of three women, including a former girlfriend of actor Ashton Kutcher, police said Friday.

Michael Gargiulo, 32, of Santa Monica has been in custody since July for a separate knife attack and could face murder charges as soon as next week, police said.

Santa Monica police Lt. Darrell Lowe said DNA collected from a crime scene last spring helped link Gargiulo to the stabbing deaths of women from Los Angeles, suburban Chicago and Monterey Park.

One of the cases involves 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin, Kutcher's former girlfriend, who was found dead in February 2001 in her Hollywood Hills home.

Kutcher, who starred in the television series "That '70s Show" and is married to actress Demi Moore, told police he went to pick up the fashion student-model for a post-Grammy Awards party, but she did not answer the door. He checked a back window and spotted what he thought were red wine stains on the carpet and then left. Her body was discovered the next day by a friend.

Kutcher's agent, Stephanie Simon, said the actor had no comment.

Police said they have a DNA match that links Gargiulo to another fatal stabbing of a Monterey Park woman in 2005. They also suspect Gargiulo in the 1993 killing of a high school girl in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, where Gargiulo lived at the time. Tricia Pacaccio, a senior at Glenbrook South High School, was found stabbed to death on her front doorstep, clutching her door key.

Gargiulo was being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail on attempted murder and burglary charges stemming from the April 28 stabbing of a Santa Monica woman in her home, Lowe said. Detectives matched a DNA sample taken from blood at the crime scene to Gargiulo. Lowe said further database cross-referencing found that Gargiulio's DNA matched genetic evidence in the three killings.

Gargiulo's attorney, Anthony Salerno, said his client denies involvement in any of the attacks and "thinks the police are out to get him."

Salerno acknowledged Gargiulo will possibly be charged with murder for the three slayings. He said that Gargiulo lived near the four victims at the time of the attacks and a garment of his was found in one of the victims' homes. But, he said, that does not make Gargiulo guilty.

Salerno said he was not aware of any DNA matches in the three killings and questioned why police have taken so long to charge Gargiulo. "If there is any DNA evidence, that would be a surprise to me," he said.

He said Gargiulo has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder and burglary charges from April and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Sept. 4.

When asked about the Pacaccio case, John Gorman, a spokesman for the Cook County (Ill.) state's attorney's office, said he could not talk about an open investigation. "I can't comment on any evidence that may be out there," he said.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles police are using DNA evidence to track down another suspected serial killer in Southern California. A special police task force has linked the fatal shootings of 10 black women prostitutes and one black man in South Los Angeles to one assailant who has been killing since 1985. Police said they have no known suspect because the DNA does not match any sample in national crime databases.

One victim survived an attack in 1988, giving police the only description they have of the suspect: a black man in his 30s driving an orange Ford Pinto.

The last killing in the series occurred in January 2007 with the discovery of 25-year-old Janecia Peters' body. DNA tests showed she was killed by the same assailant as the others.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/celebrities/ci_10338982

[odette]

Posted Aug 30th 2008 9:29AM by TMZ Staff

Suspect Named in Murder of Ashton's Ex

Police have used DNA to link a man to the 2001 murder of Ashley Ellerin -- who happened to be dating Ashton Kutcher at the time of her death.

The story goes like this: Back in the pre-Demi days, Kutcher told police he went to pick up Ellerin for a post-Grammy party, but she didn't answer the door. He looked through a back window and saw what he thought were red wine stains on the carpet. He eventually left.

Those weren't wine stains and her body was discovered the next day by a friend.

Michael Gargiulo has been in custody since June for attempted murder of another woman. That's when DNA tests were used to link him to several murders, including Ellerin's.

Gargiulo's lawyer, Anthony V. Salerno, says he has not been charged in Ellerin's murder, but admits he's the prime suspect.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/08/30/suspec...of-ashtons-ex/

[odette]

sky.com - 3:00pm UK, Saturday August 30, 2008

DNA Link To Death Of Kutcher Ex

A serial killer wanted for the murders of three women, including that of an ex-girlfriend of film star Ashton Kutcher, may have been tracked down by Los Angeles Police.

The breakthrough in the cold cases, which date back from 1993 to 2005, came after detectives found a DNA link between a recent crime and the unsolved murders.

It implicated 32-year-old Michael Gargiulo, who has been held since July on suspicion of the attempted murder of a Santa Monica woman in April.

The forensic evidence means Gargiulo could face murder charges as soon as next week, according to Santa Monica police Lt Darrell Lowee.

One of the unsolved murder cases involves 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin, Kutcher's former girlfriend, who was found dead in February 2001 in her Hollywood Hills home.

Kutcher, star of TV hit That '70s Show, told police he went to pick up the fashion student-model for a post-Grammy Awards party, but she did not answer the door.

He checked a back window and spotted what he thought were red wine stains on the carpet and then left. Her body was discovered the next day by a friend.

The actor, who is now married to actress Demi Moore, was never a suspect in the case.

Police said the DNA match also links Gargiulo to the fatal stabbing of a Monterey Park woman in 2005 and the 1993 killing of a high school girl in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, where Gargiulo lived at the time.

Tricia Pacaccio, a senior at Glenbrook South High School, was found stabbed to death on her front doorstep, clutching her door key.

Gargiulo's lawyer, Anthony Salerno, said his client denies involvement in any of the attacks and "thinks the police are out to get him".

Mr Salerno said that Gargiulo lived near the four victims at the time of the attacks and a garment of his was found in one of the victims' homes but that did not make him guilty.

He added that he was not aware of any DNA matches in the three killings and questioned why police have taken so long to charge Gargiulo.

The lawyer said Gargiulo has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder and burglary charges from April and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on September 4.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor...00808415089996

[odette]

By Emily S. Achenbaum | Chicago Tribune reporter - 11:23 PM CDT, August 28, 2008

Attack in California revives interest in 1993 killing of girl near Glenview

Man was questioned 15 years ago in the fatal stabbing of a Glenbrook South High School student

A man once questioned in the 1993 stabbing death of a suburban Cook County teen has been charged with attempting to kill a California woman, and is a suspect in at least one other killing there.

The development brings new attention to the killing of Tricia Pacaccio, 18, of unincorporated Glenview, a crime that has gone unsolved for 15 years.

In April, Santa Monica police began investigating the stabbing of a woman who said a man climbed through an open window in her home and stabbed her several times with a knife. The woman fought off the attacker, and he ran away, police said.

Santa Monica Lt. Darrell Lowe said police tested crime scene blood from the attacker by running the DNA profile through CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), a national database used by law enforcement. There, Lowe said detectives got a match: Michael Thomas Gargiulo, formerly of the Glenview area, now 32 and living in Santa Monica.

Lowe said Gargiulo showed up in the database because a sample of his DNA was either taken by or found by authorities in the Pacaccio killing, which took place outside the door of her family's home.

A source familiar with the case told the Tribune that Gargiulo's DNA was found under Pacaccio's fingernail.

Cook County state attorney's office spokesman John Gorman on Thursday said he could not discuss the Pacaccio investigation because it is an open case.

Lowe said Gargiulo is a suspect in at least one other California attack, the 2001 stabbing death of a young woman.

"He's being looked at in cases involving stabbings and death," Lowe said.

Pacaccio, a well-liked Glenbrook South High School graduate, was stabbed in the chest in the early hours of Aug. 14, 1993, as she was about to unlock her family's home. Pacaccio was due at Purdue University the following week, where she was to study engineering and environmental issues. In her high school yearbook, she said she wanted "to save the world."

She was returning home from an evening with friends when she was attacked. Detectives believed the killer was waiting for Pacaccio and called the killing a crime of passion, adding that they were certain she knew her attacker.

Pacaccio's body was found by her father the next morning.

Her family did not respond to a message requesting comment Thursday.

Gargiulo, who attended Glenbrook South with Pacaccio, was arrested at his apartment June 6 on charges of attempted murder and burglary in the Santa Monica case. He is being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail.

His next court appearance is Sept. 4.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...,4364840.story

[odette]

nbc5.com - UPDATED: 5:51 pm CDT August 28, 2008

Glenview Teen's Slaying Could Have Hollywood Connection

Man Suspected In Kutcher Girlfriend's Death Linked To Killing

CHICAGO -- According to a report in Thursday's edition of the Chicago Sun-Times, a man suspected in the unsolved slaying of a Glenview teenager is under investigation by California authorities in a series of other stabbing deaths, including that of actor Ashton Kutcher's onetime girlfriend.

Authorities said Michael Thomas Gargiulo, 32, was being held in Los Angeles on attempted murder and burglary charges. He could be charged as early as next week in two slayings in California because of a DNA match, sources told the paper. Gargiulo's DNA was placed in a national database because he was a suspect in the Glenview slaying of Tricia Pacaccio.

In 2004, the paper reported, before two of the California attacks, Cook County investigators used new technology to retest DNA evidence in the 1993 stabbing death of Pacaccio. The DNA matched Gargiulo, who was Pacaccio's classmate at Glenbrook South High School at who lived one street away.

Cook County prosecutors wouldn't charge Gargiulo, and still have not, telling the family the evidence wasn't strong enough, according to the report.

John Gorman, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney, told the Sun-Times that he could not comment on evidence in the Glenview slaying.

. . . . .
. . . . . Tricia Pacaccio . . . . . Michael Thomas Gargiulo

"This remains an open investigation," Gorman told the paper. "I cannot discuss evidence in any investigation before charges."

On Aug 14, 1993, Pacaccio, a high school senior, was attacked outside her home, the Sun-Times reported. Pacaccio was stabbed to death as she tried to enter the front door, and her father found her body the next morning. Pacaccio was still holding the front door key.

NBC5's Dick Johnson reported that when Gargiulo was initially questioned, he denied he killed her, but did admit he was with her the day before. There is no mention of him in what would have been his senior yearbook after her slaying -- only a memorial to Pacaccio on a back page, Johnson reported.

Pacaccio's father has reportedly declined to comment, and her family is still waiting for an answer from the Cook County State's Attorney about why they won't charge him.

A source told Johnson that even if Gargiulo is charged with a similar crime in Los Angeles, the Glenview case would still be very difficult to prosecute because there is little, if any, incriminating evidence.

Video: Man Suspected In Kutcher Girlfriend's Death Linked To Killing
http://www.nbc5.com/morning/17326897/detail.html

[susie31023]

Thank you Odette. It is so sad that had the Chicago police acted some of these women would be alive today. Trisha's mom has suffered all these years while police refused to charge him....There should be some kind of law where when something like this happens the LE or prosecutors should be held liable just like the perp. JMO...Sorry for the rant. It's just that we are seeing more and more of these kinds of things where if something had been done years ago maybe a few lives would have been saved.

[odette]

Press Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2008

Contact: Lieutenant Daniel Salerno - (310) 458-8760

HOME INVASION / ATTEMPT HOMICIDE ARREST

. . . . .

On Monday, April 28, 2008, at 11:45 pm, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department responded to an apartment complex located in the 1200 block of 12th Street regarding a home invasion, attempt murder investigation. The female victim was home alone when she was awakened by a male suspect armed with a knife attacking her. The victim fought the assailant and was stabbed several times during the ensuing struggle. The victim was immediately transported to an area hospital where her injuries were treated. The suspect fled the location on foot.

Detectives and Forensic Specialists from the Santa Monica Police Department processed the crime scene locating DNA evidence. That evidence was processed through the State’s DNA database and a possible suspect was identified.

Investigators located the suspect and arrested him on June 6, 2008. The suspect is identified as Michael Thomas Gargiulo, 32-years-old, currently a Santa Monica Resident. Mr. Gargiulo is being held on bail in the amount of $1,100,000.

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office is expected to arraign Mr. Gargiulo on the charges of attempted willful deliberate, and premeditated murder and burglary. Mr. Gargiulo will be arraigned on June 10, 2008 in the LAX courthouse, Dept. 242.

Detectives believe the suspect entered the victim’s residence through a partially opened window. Residents are reminded not to leave their windows and doors open during the upcoming warm summer months as predators are looking for simple opportunities to commit crimes.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about Mr. Gargiulo and this crime are encouraged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department Detectives at (310) 458-8451, the Watch Commander (310) 458-8427 (24 hours). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip hotline at 1 (800) 78-crime (27463).

http://santamonicapd.org/Press_Info/...idieArrest.htm

[SaraSidle]

I sure wish there was something more they could do to keep him behind bars.
IMO

[odette]

Santa Monica Suspect Tied to Three Killings

[susie31023]

Thank you Odette[ mi amigo] for keeping us updated. I still say if Chicago had done something years ago these women might still be alive. So very very sad and frustrating..

[vinman317]

does anyone know the outcome of the pretrial yesterday? has a trial date been set? Is he still in jail and what are the chances that he will never get out?
Does IL have a death penalty?
Does CA?
He needs to be executed.

[odette]

BY NATASHA KORECKI AND FRANK MAIN Staff Reporters

Link: Suspect here charged in Calif. GLENVIEW | Man linked to teen's murder in 1993 accused in slayings of Kutcher pal, 2nd woman

Cook County prosecutors are taking a fresh look at a suspect in a 15-year-old Glenview murder after California authorities charged him Thursday with two fatal stabbings -- including a woman planning to attend a post-Grammy party with actor Ashton Kutcher.

Michael Thomas Gargiulo was charged Thursday in the 2001 murder of 22-year-old fashion student Ashley Ellerin in Los Angeles and the 2005 slaying of Maria Bruno, 32, in El Monte, Calif.

Gargiulo has long been a suspect in the 1993 slaying of Tricia Pacaccio, who was 18 when she was stabbed to death in front of her Glenview home.

The Ellerin family, too, have suspected Gargiulo in the 2001 murder of their daughter. Family lawyer Daniel Horowitz said Gargiulo lived near Ellerin and once helped change her car's tire.

"Chicago had the key all that time, and they sat on it," Horowitz said. "We thought the Cook County case was a slam dunk. [Tricia] gave it to them."

Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times first reported that Gargiulo was a suspect in the Glenview slaying, as well as the two California murders.

Gargiulo, 32, already was being held on an attempted-murder charge in the April stabbing of a Los Angeles woman. DNA at the scene matched that of Gargiulo, who was in a database because of the Pacaccio case, police said.

"Michael Gargiulo adamantly denies that he was in any way involved in any of the murders," his lawyer, Anthony Salerno, said of his client, who is married.

If convicted, Gargiulo is eligible for the death penalty.

The unsolved Pacaccio case has brought frustration to the family, who were told by investigators in 2004 that, using new technology, DNA recovered from under their daughter's fingernails matched Gargiulo. Gargiulo lived one street away in 1993.

Cook County prosecutors declined to bring charges.

"It's just baffling," Diane Pacaccio told the Sun-Times. "Why wasn't he arrested in 2004?"

Cook County said the case was never closed.

"We are reaching out to the Los Angeles authorities to compare notes on what we have deemed to be an open investigation into this murder," said John Gorman, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Sources close to the investigation said prosecutors thought DNA evidence was insufficient to charge without other evidence.

In December 2005, Gargiulo is accused of killing Bruno, a mother of four who lived in the same apartment complex. In 2001, Ellerin was found murdered a day after Kutcher arrived to pick her up at her bungalow but left when she didn't come to the door.

A friend of Ellerin's family said Thursday the two were not in a romantic relationship but shared mutual friends. She once dated action star Vin Diesel.

The Ellerins hired private investigator Kent Brezee to research the Pacaccio case in an effort to urge prosecutors here to bring a case.

"He's basically a serial killer," Brezee said. "No ifs, ands, or buts about it."

[odette]

By CHRISTINA HOAG Associated Press Writer

Link: Repairman denies killing actor's former girlfriend

LOS ANGELES — An air conditioning repairman pleaded not guilty Thursday to the stabbing deaths of two women, including a former girlfriend of actor Ashton Kutcher.

Michael Thomas Gargiulo, 32, of Santa Monica faces two counts of murder and two counts of burglary in connection with the killings of 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin, Kutcher's former girlfriend, and 32-year-old Maria Bruno in Monterey Park, prosecutors said.

"He is adamant he was not involved," said Gargiulo's attorney, Anthony Salerno.

No decision has been made on whether to seek the death penalty, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.

Ellerin was found dead in February 2001 in her Hollywood Hills home. Bruno was fatally stabbed in her apartment in December 2005.

Gargiulo pleaded not guilty to the charges when he appeared in court Thursday as part of a separate case in which he is charged with attempted murder and burglary in an April 28 knife attack on a Santa Monica woman.

Gargiulo was arrested in July and is being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail in connection with the attack on the Santa Monica woman who awoke to an intruder wielding a knife. Through his lawyer, Gargiulo also has denied involvement in that attack.

In all three cases, Gargiulo lived near the victims, and the women were stabbed in their homes, police said.

Authorities suspect Gargiulo may have committed similar attacks.

"We're interested in hearing from anyone who's even loosely connected with this guy," said sheriff's Detective Mark Lillienfeld.

In the 2001 case, Kutcher told police he went to pick up Ellerin, a fashion student-model, for a post-Grammy Awards party, but she did not answer the door.

He checked a back window and spotted what he thought were red wine stains on the carpet and then left. Her body was discovered the next day by a friend.

Kutcher starred in the television series "That '70s Show" and is married to actress Demi Moore.

Police have said Gargiulo might be linked to another killing that occurred in 1993 in the Chicago suburb of Glenview. High school senior Tricia Pacaccio was found stabbed on her doorstep, clutching her door key.

John Gorman, spokesman for the Cook County State Attorney's Office, said Thursday the investigation remained open and he could not comment further.

Salerno said his client, a native of Illinois, denies any connection to that crime.

[odette]

Link: Repairman Denies Killing Ashton Kutcher's Ex

[odette]

Link: Repairman Charged of Killing Ex-Girlfriend of Ashton Kutcher

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by odette

Link: Repairman Charged of Killing Ex-Girlfriend of Ashton Kutcher

I think that is a little strange Odette. imo