Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown
**2025 Ambie Award Nominee: Best Indie Podcast Hosts** Kate and Kevin met way back when they worked together at a (likely haunted) theatre and the two became fast friends. Skip ahead a few years to present day, where they mostly sit around and talk about true crime. From horrific homicides to unsolved mysteries, spooky haunts to behind-the-scenes secrets, these two are here to bring you all the drama - and trauma - of Tinseltown. Settle in, Misfits.
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4 days ago
4 days ago
Jack Nance became a cult icon through his unforgettable role in Eraserhead and a decades-long collaboration with David Lynch. Offscreen, his life moved between moments of success and long battles with addiction. Those who knew him describe a man with a quiet humor and a way of seeing the world that felt just a little off center. His final days in South Pasadena led to a death that remains unresolved, leaving behind questions that have never fully been answered.
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Episode Sources:
“Erased” from May 1, 2016, Pasadena Weekly
“Obituary: Jack Nance” by Tony Sloman, January 8, 1997, Independent
“Eraserhead: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About David Lynch's Surreal Masterpiece” by Jake Dee, September 18, 2020, ScreenRant
“Star of ‘Eraserhead’ Found Dead After Fight” by Ken Ellingwood, January 4, 1997, Los Angeles Times
“Jack Nance, 53, An Actor Known For 'Eraserhead'” by The Associated Press, January 11, 1997, The New York Times
“Lost Highway: Jack Nance Remembered By David Lynch & Others” by Cyrus Shahrad, July 15, 2013, The Quietus
“Jack Nance” on IMDb
“Erased” by Maximillian Potter, August 1997, Premiere Magazine, pages 92-95, 106-107
“Actor Jerry Van Dyke’s Daughter Found Hanged” from November 19, 1991, L.A. Times Archives, Los Angeles Times
“Kelly Van Dyke” from IMDb
“Nancee Kellee” on Find a Grave
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Mar 16, 2026
Monday Mar 16, 2026
We've made it, Misfits. We're finally at the last part of our Hollywood Ripper series. What was Michael Gargiulo's childhood like? Did he have friends? Girlfriends? We're discussing his background as well as his trial in LA, and where things currently stand.
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024
“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026
“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019
“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010
“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019
“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011
“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023
“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021
“GLENVIEW MAN DISCOVERS DAUGHTER FATALLY STABBED” Chicago Tribune, Aug 15, 1993
“The Chilling Case Of The Hollywood Ripper” by Michael Crooks, Marie Claire Australia, Oct 28, 2019
“Did Alleged “Hollywood Ripper” Michael Gargiulo Kill Tricia Pacaccio?” By Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, June 15, 2011
“Michael Gargiulo: The serial killer next door?” 48 Hours, Aug 18, 2012
“Hollywood Ripper Penalty Phase - Victim Impact Statements - Douglas Picaccio & Thomas Pacaccio” Law & Crime Network - YouTube, Oct 7, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper - EP 05: Survivor” by Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood, hosted by Kelly Hyman, Mar 15, 2024
“Suspect in court for murder of Kutcher ex” ABC30 Action News, Sep 4, 2008
“Serial killer dubbed ‘Hollywood Ripper,’ convicted of killing Ashton Kutcher’s friend, shows no emotion as parents describe ‘profound’ grief” by Nancy Dillon, Daily News, Oct 7, 2019
“Ashton Kutcher's Lies Allowed Michael Gargiulo To Kill Again” - Aaron Smith-Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Feb 2, 2023
“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” - Aaron Smith-Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Maria Bruno was a young mother of four, ready to start her new life away from her abusive husband. She never dreamed the new home she picked out for its safety and security features would be the very place her life would end. Michelle Murphy was a young, athletic woman living near the beach in Santa Monica. What began as an unremarkable, mundane evening turned into the most traumatic night of her life. But her story is different. She survived.
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Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024
“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026
“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019
“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010
“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019
“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011
“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023
“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021
“GLENVIEW MAN DISCOVERS DAUGHTER FATALLY STABBED” Chicago Tribune, Aug 15, 1993
“The Chilling Case Of The Hollywood Ripper” by Michael Crooks, Marie Claire Australia, Oct 28, 2019
“Did Alleged “Hollywood Ripper” Michael Gargiulo Kill Tricia Pacaccio?” By Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, June 15, 2011
“Michael Gargiulo: The serial killer next door?” 48 Hours, Aug 18, 2012
“Hollywood Ripper Penalty Phase - Victim Impact Statements - Douglas Picaccio & Thomas Pacaccio” Law & Crime Network - YouTube, Oct 7, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper - EP 05: Survivor” by Once Upon a Crime in Hollywood, hosted by Kelly Hyman, Mar 15, 2024
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Mar 02, 2026
Monday Mar 02, 2026
18-year-old Tricia Pacaccio was a straight-A student, a member of the National Honor Society and an award-winning debater. She was just one week away from beginning her freshman year at Purdue University where she planned to study biomedical engineering. However, after a celebratory night out with friends her life ended in the most brutal way right on her very own doorstep.
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024
“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026
“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019
“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010
“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019
“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011
“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023
“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021
“GLENVIEW MAN DISCOVERS DAUGHTER FATALLY STABBED” Chicago Tribune, Aug 15, 1993
“The Chilling Case Of The Hollywood Ripper” by Michael Crooks, Marie Claire Australia, Oct 28, 2019
“Did Alleged “Hollywood Ripper” Michael Gargiulo Kill Tricia Pacaccio?” By Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, June 15, 2011
“Michael Gargiulo: The serial killer next door?” 48 Hours, Aug 18, 2012
“Hollywood Ripper Penalty Phase - Victim Impact Statements - Douglas Picaccio & Thomas Pacaccio” Law & Crime Network - YouTube, Oct 7, 2019
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
While you await Part 2 of our Hollywood Ripper series we've got a fun bonus episode for ya! Our special guest today is actor Patrick Mulvey. He plays Phil, Halle Berry's jerk of a co-worker in the new film "Crime 101," also starring Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo. In Season 2, Episode 3 of "The Pitt" he plays Benny, a father who is believed to be abusing his young daughter. We promise he's not an asshole, folks, he just plays them on screen, and he's here to tell us all about what Halle Berry smells like, what it's like to poop your pants in public, and why you should never moon an entire restaurant full of people.
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Feb 23, 2026
Monday Feb 23, 2026
It was the night of the Grammy Awards - February 21, 2001. 22-year-old fashion student Ashley Ellerin set out the outfit she planned to wear to a Grammys after-party. Having just taken a shower, she was about to blow dry her hair when someone came to the door. Tragically, her life was cut short just moments later.
For ad-free and bonus episodes:
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“Serial killer trial: Jury hears disturbing details of murder of young women, including Ashton Kutcher's date” by Vania Stuelp, ABC7 Eyewitness News, May 2, 2019
“The Hollywood Ripper: How ’48 Hours’ helped crack the case of convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo” by Maureen Maher, CBS News, 48 Hours, Sep 11, 2024
“Ashley Ellerin, The Woman Who Was Murdered By ‘The Hollywood Ripper’ Just Before Her Date With Ashton Kutcher” by Austin Harvey, Edited by Cara Johnson, All That’s Interesting, Feb 5, 2026
“Ashton Kutcher testifies in trial of serial killer suspect Michael Gargiulo” by Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2019
“'Chiller Killer' Michael Gargiulo Accused of Murdering Ashton Kutcher's Girlfriend Got Close as Their Helpful Repairman” by Christine Pelisek, LA Weekly, Nov 25, 2010
“The Chilling Details of the Murder of Ashley Ellerin and the ‘Hollywood Ripper’ Trial” by Al Seib, The Lift FM, Aug 15, 2019
“Pacaccio Parents Blast Cook County State's Attorney's Office” by Bryan Smith, Chicago Magazine, July 7, 2011
“Chrissie Carnell Bixler Is Exposing ASHTON KUTCHER...And It’s BAD” by Aaron Smith Levin, Growing Up In Scientology, Sep 10, 2023
“'People Magazine Investigates' : On the Trail of 'Hollywood Ripper' Serial Killer” by Christine Pelisek, People Magazine, Apr 23, 2021
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Feb 16, 2026
Monday Feb 16, 2026
Before her name was tied to a federal indictment, Shannon Richardson was known for appearances on television shows like The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries. In 2013, she became the center of a national criminal investigation involving letters sent to high-profile political figures. As investigators peeled back the layers, the case revealed a calculated act that carried consequences far beyond the headlines.
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Join our Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“Texas Woman Sentenced for Sending Ricin Letters” from July 16, 2014, Dallas U.S. Attorney’s Office
“Woman sentenced for sending ricin-laced letters to president sues East Texas jail officials from April 17, 2015, KLTV
“ETX woman indicted for sending ricin letters” from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Published June 28, 2013, Updated August 27, 2013, KLTV
“Man at center of ricin investigation attended James Bowie High in Simms” by Paige Alexander, May 31, 2013, Texarkana Gazette
“Texas father gets custody of ricin-suspect's baby” by the Associated Press, August 27, 2013, WFAA
“New Boston, Texas Woman Indicted For Ricin Letters” by Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, June 28, 2013, United States Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas
“Shannon Richardson gets 18-year jail term for posting ricin” from July 17, 2014, BBC News
“East Texas woman who mailed ricin to President Obama denied reduced sentence” by Meredith Billings, September 24, 2025, KLTV
“Texas Ricin Suspect Who Tried to Frame Husband Cuts a Deal” by Dean Schabner and Melissa Lustrin, November 23, 2013, ABC News
“Actress Shannon Richardson pleads guilty in ricin case” from December 10, 2013, BBC News
“The Story Of Shannon Richardson, The ‘Walking Dead’ Actress Who Mailed Deadly Poison To President Barack Obama” by Marco Margaritoff, Edited By Erik Hawkins, Published March 15, 2022, All That’s Interesting
“Shannon Richardson” from IMDb
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Feb 09, 2026
Monday Feb 09, 2026
Brandon Lee was on the brink of becoming a major movie star when The Crow came his way. The movie became inseparable from the idea that something darker hung over its production. The legend of a curse took hold and didn't let go. The cult classic film had many accidents surrounding it, but the one that took Brandon's life would leave a permanent mark on Hollywood.
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Join our Patreon:
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Send us an email:
horrorwoodpodcast@gmail.com
Episode Sources:
“The Crow” on IMDb
“Brandon Lee” on IMDb
“Eliza Hutton Breaks Silence 28 Years After Fiancé Brandon Lee's Death in the Wake of 'Rust' Shooting” by Dan Heching, October 25, 2021, People
“Actor Brandon Lee was killed by a prop gun, years before the 'Rust' shooting death” by Giulia Heyward, January 20, 2023, NPR
“D.A. announces negligence caused death of ‘The Crow’ actor Brandon Lee” by HISTORY.com Editors, Published November 13, 2009, Updated May 27, 2025, History
“‘It was a horrific night’: 30 years on from the on-set death of Brandon Lee” by David Smith, May 13, 2024, The Guardian
“How Did Brandon Lee Die on the Set of The Crow?” by Samantha Graves, August 25, 2024, Collider
“Brandon Lee Apparently Killed by .44 Bullet : Movies: Even after autopsy finding, North Carolina police are still treating the actor’s death as accidental.” by Patrick Boyle, April 2, 1993, Los Angeles Times
“Things About Brandon Lee's Death That Don't Make Sense” by S. Flannagan, August 17, 2024, Grunge
“Brandon Lee’s loved ones remember ‘The Crow’ star 30 years after his death” by Alli Rosenbloom, April 8, 2023, CNN
“How A Tragic Mistake On A Movie Set Led To The Death Of Brandon Lee” by Marco Margaritoff, Edited by John Kuroski, Published April 8, 2023, Updated September 25, 2025, All That’s Interesting
“Cursed Films: The Crow Curse Explained” by Keith Deininger, April 23, 2020, ScreenRant
“The Crow Movie Curse Explained” by Richard Milner, August 17, 2024, Grunge
“The ‘curse’ of The Crow might be an urban legend – but the franchise still can’t escape it” by Geoffrey Macnab, August 23, 2024, The Independent
“Brandon Lee” from Unsolved Mysteries
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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