'Hollywood Ripper' Michael Gargiulo Charged in Illinois for 1993 Murder of Teen

Michael Gargiulo, known as the 'Hollywood Ripper,' has been charged in Illinois for the 1993 murder of a teenager. Gargiulo, who is already sentenced to death for the murders of two women in California, now faces additional charges in Illinois for the murder of Tricia Pacaccio, 18.

Michael Gargiulo, known as the 'Hollywood Ripper,' has been charged in Illinois for the 1993 murder of Tricia Pacaccio, 18. Gargiulo is already sentenced to death for the murders of two women in California and now faces additional charges in Illinois.

Pacaccio was found stabbed to death in her home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, on August 14, 1993. Gargiulo, who was 19 at the time, was a neighbor of Pacaccio's family.

'Hollywood Ripper' Michael Gargiulo Charged in Illinois for 1993 Murder of Teen

Gargiulo was initially considered a suspect in Pacaccio's murder, but there was insufficient evidence to charge him at the time. However, in 2018, new DNA evidence linked Gargiulo to the crime.

Gargiulo was extradited to Illinois from California in June 2022. He pleaded not guilty to the murder charge on July 14, 2022.

'Hollywood Ripper' Michael Gargiulo Charged in Illinois for 1993 Murder of Teen

Pacaccio's family has waited nearly three decades for justice in her murder. They are relieved that Gargiulo has finally been charged and hope that he will be held accountable for his crime.

Gargiulo is a career criminal with a history of violence. He was first arrested in 1991 for the attempted murder of his then-girlfriend. He was convicted of assault and sentenced to probation.

'Hollywood Ripper' Michael Gargiulo Charged in Illinois for 1993 Murder of Teen

In 2001, Gargiulo was arrested for the murder of Ashley Ellerin, a young woman he had met at a bar. He was convicted of Ellerin's murder in 2008 and sentenced to death.

In 2019, Gargiulo was charged with the murder of Maria Bruno, a 32-year-old woman who was killed in her home in El Monte, California. He was convicted of Bruno's murder in 2021 and sentenced to death.

'Hollywood Ripper' Michael Gargiulo Charged in Illinois for 1993 Murder of Teen

Gargiulo is charged with first-degree murder in Pacaccio's death. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted.

The trial is scheduled to begin on March 6, 2023.

* Gargiulo has denied committing any of the murders he has been charged with.

* He is represented by public defenders in the Illinois case.

* The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office is prosecuting the case.

* Pacaccio's family has established a memorial fund in her honor.