Michael Gargiulo, a serial killer who has already been sentenced to death for two murders in California, has been extradited to Illinois to face charges in the 1993 murder of an 18-year-old girl. The case has been revived after new witnesses came forward implicating Gargiulo in the crime.
Gargiulo was initially suspected in the murder, but he wasn't linked to the crime through DNA until after he had left for California where he killed Ashley Ellerin, 22, in 2001 and Maria Bruno, 32, in 2005.
Michael Gargiulo, 'Hollywood Ripper,' Faces Illinois Murder Charge
During the investigation into Ellerin's murder, actor Ashton Kutcher testified that he was supposed to pick her up for a date that night in 2001, but she had been murdered by the time he arrived at her house.
After Gargiulo's conviction in California, new witnesses came forward, including one who claimed that Gargiulo admitted to killing a girl in Chicago.
Michael Gargiulo, 'Hollywood Ripper,' Faces Illinois Murder Charge
Another witness said that Gargiulo had told him he had "buried the b----," but later claimed he was only kidding and had actually "left the b---- on step for dead."
Gargiulo was finally charged with Pacaccio's murder in 2011, but wasn't extradited until he was sentenced in California.
Michael Gargiulo, 'Hollywood Ripper,' Faces Illinois Murder Charge
Gargiulo is being held without bond and is due back in court on Sept. 20.
The case has garnered renewed attention due to the gruesome nature of Gargiulo's crimes and the fact that he had been able to evade justice for so long.
Michael Gargiulo, 'Hollywood Ripper,' Faces Illinois Murder Charge
