Mind of a Monster: The Hollywood Ripper

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.

Season nine of Mind of a Monster begins in Hollywood in 2019. A woman is testifying about how she fought off Michael Gargiulo as he brutally stabbed her while she was in bed. Her bravery led to the unmasking of a serial killer who stands trial for her attempted murder and the murder of two other women. Evidence concerning another female victim is also presented despite her murder taking place in Illinois. Michael is also charged with this crime. Speaking to friends and journalists, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates the early years and what could have contributed to Michael’s sadistic behavior. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.
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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. 
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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.