‘Hollywood Ripper’ Michael Gargiulo, Known For Murdering Ashton Kutcher’s Gal Pal, Sentenced To Death
July 16 2021, Published 9:54 p.m. ET
Michael Gargiulo, nicknamed the "Hollywood Ripper”, will be executed after being found guilty of murdering two women and attempting to kill a third.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler handed down the sentence earlier today.
45-year-old Gargiulo, also known as “The Boy Next Door Killer", sat angrily in the court as he heard his fate.
The case received national attention due to one of the victims being a 22-year-old woman named Ashley Ellerin. He broke into her Hollywood home as she got ready for a date with the actor Ashton Kutcher.
Kutcher took the stand during the trial. He told the jury that he was late to pick up his date and she didn't answer when he knocked.
The actor recalled how he looked inside a window and saw bloodstains that he believed to be wine. Officials found Ellerin with 47 stab wounds.
The second murder victim was a 32-year-old Maria named Bruno. He broke into her home in El Monte in 2005. She was found with her breasts cut off and her implants taken out of her body.
The jury found him guilty of the attempted murder of Michelle Murphy in 2008. He tried to break into her home, but she fought him off. He had to flee the scene and left blood splatters.
Those DNA samples would later help convict him of the two murders. Murphy also testified in court. "To this day, spending the night alone creates a world of fear in me," Murphy said.
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In court, Gargiulo proclaimed his innocence. He claimed his lawyers refused to allow him to take the stand. The convicted murderer said, “I’m going to death row wrongfully and unjustfully. I did want to testify and my fundamental choice was blocked.”
It's unlikely Gargiulo will be executed anytime soon. The last execution to be done in the state of California was in 2006 and Gov. Gavin Newsom was said none will be done while he is in office.
