Los Angeles, California – Tom Small, a retired homicide detective, vividly recalls the gruesome discovery of Ashley Ellerin’s lifeless body in her Hollywood bungalow. It was a fateful night in February 2001 when the young fashion student was found stabbed to death, shocking the California community. Ellerin’s brutal murder, with 47 stab wounds, left many shaken and seeking answers to the heinous crime.
The murder of Ashley Ellerin, known for her dreams of making it big in Hollywood, drew attention to the mysterious figure known as “Mike,” a man who frequented her parties and was described as ‘creepy’ by some witnesses. Small, reflecting on the case, highlighted the chilling details surrounding Ellerin’s death, emphasizing the deliberate infliction of pain and control by the perpetrator.
As the investigation unfolded, suspicions turned towards Michael Gargiulo, a man with a disturbing history of violence and aggression. Gargiulo’s reign of terror extended beyond Ellerin, with additional victims like Maria Bruno and Michelle Murphy falling prey to his relentless attacks. The calculated nature of Gargiulo’s crimes, his lurking presence in the victims’ lives, and the disturbing pattern of violence led authorities to finally bring him to justice.
In 2019, after years of legal proceedings and mounting evidence, Gargiulo was convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to death. For Small, the resolution brought a sense of closure and justice for the victims and their families. The chilling tale of Michael Gargiulo, known as “The Hollywood Ripper,” serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can dwell within seemingly ordinary individuals and the lasting impact of his heinous crimes on the community.