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Mind of a Monster: The Hollywood Ripper — True Crime
Mind of a Monster: The Hollywood Ripper

Across the 2000s, under the shimmering lights of Hollywood, a murderer lay in wait. Watching, waiting and stalking his young and beautiful female neighbors, Michael Gargiulo 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. 

Across six episodes, 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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Latest Episodes:

Your Next Listen: Who Killed Angel Harris? Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

If you enjoyed Mind of a Monster, you may also like Who Killed Angel Harris? a podcast from ID. In 2011, 31-year old Angel Harris is found murdered in Gainesville, Florida, and the case goes cold. Fifteen years later, when investigator Sarah Cailean sets out to solve the case, a new question arises: Is Angel’s murder, the work of a serial killer? Listen to Episode 1, "Homecoming" here, and follow Who Killed Angel Harris? wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your Next Listen: Murder in the Heartland Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

If you enjoyed Mind of a Monster, you may also like Murder in the Heartland, a new podcast from ID. Listen to Episode 1, "Who Killed Angie Lee?" here, and follow Murder in the Heartland.

Murder in the Heartland is your podcast for small-town American crime. Each episode is told through the collective point-of-view of a Middle American town and its residents, and every story documents a town and people in the heart of the country, and the provocative crime that tore through it. The townspeople are not only the storytellers, but they also hold the clues to the crimes that have forever changed their lives, and how they understand their home.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Trial | Ep.6 Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

Michael Gargiulo’s final victim bravely fights him off, leading to his eventual arrest. A media frenzy takes place as the serial killer takes the stand. With multiple powerful witness testimonies, shocking evidence and the death penalty on the table, a gripping court case takes place to determine Michael’s fate. Speaking with journalists, a victim’s friend, witnesses, experts and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward follows the court proceedings blow by blow to uncover what is in store for the Hollywood Ripper. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria | Ep.5 Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Another woman is found murdered, and this time Michael has gone even further with his brutality. In the wake of the investigation, there is a break in the case. Clear patterns are emerging and link multiple overkill murders of young women to the possibility of one suspect – Michael Gargiulo. The heat is on, but Michael continues to terrorize the women around him. Speaking with detectives and experts, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates another frenzied murder and how Michael behaves when he has chosen his next potential victim.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hunt | Ep.4 Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

Detectives continue to work on finding Ashley Ellerin’s killer and finally their attentions turn to her neighbor, Mike the furnace guy. Police try to track Michael down, but it proves very difficult rather quickly. Dr. Michelle Ward digs into Michael’s past relationships to find that not only does he manipulate these women, but a series of terrifying behavior emerges. Speaking with victim’s friends and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward explores the manhunt and how patterns of Michael’s sadistic behavior is in all aspects of his life. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley | Ep.3 Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

22-year-old Ashley Ellerin is found brutally murdered in her apartment by her roommate. The scene is closed off and police search for any evidence that identifies her killer. Detectives don’t know yet that it’s Mike the Furnace Guy and they open the investigation up to Ashley’s large circle of Hollywood friends, including a famous actor. Dr. Michelle Ward speaks with Ashley’s friend and detectives about the horrific ordeal and uncover the tragic details of her murder. Dr. Ward delves into Michael’s childhood with a psychologist to try to uncover what may have contributed to this heinous attack as an adult.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike the Furnace Guy | Ep.2 Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

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.

Michael Gargiulo | Ep.1 Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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.

Introducing Mind of a Monster: The Hollywood Ripper Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S8 Ep.6: 11 Skulls Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

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. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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