Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

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“Erased” from May 1, 2016, Pasadena Weekly

Episode Sources:

“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

The Hollywood Ripper - Part 4: Michael Thomas Gargiulo

Episode 225

lundi 16 mars 2026 • Duration 01:23:24

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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“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

Episode Sources:

“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

Who Killed Bobby Fuller? - Part 1

Episode 214

lundi 19 janvier 2026 • Duration 01:02:05

*We have a bit of biznasty to go over in the beginning so if you want to go straight to the story, skip ahead to around the 9:12 mark.

23-year-old Bobby Fuller, the self-proclaimed “Rock ‘n’ Roll King of the Southwest,” was climbing the charts with hits like “Let Her Dance” and “I Fought the Law” when his life was abruptly cut short. Police quickly wrote his death off as a suicide and there was no criminal investigation. However, the circumstances surrounding Bobby’s death strongly suggest foul play.

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“‘Buckwild’ Star Died of Accidental Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” by Krishnadev Calamur, April 2, 2013, NPR

Episode Sources:

“The short life and mysterious death of Bobby Fuller, rock'n'roll king of Texas” by Chris Campion, The Guardian, Jul 16, 2015 https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/16/the-short-life-and-mysterious-death-of-bobby-fuller-rocknroll-king-of-texas

“I Fought the Law: The Life & Strange Death of Bobby Fuller” by Miriam Linna & Randell Fuller, Kicks Books, 2014 https://archive.org/details/ifoughtlawlifest0000linn

“Broken melody: The Bobby Fuller story, parts 1-4” by Edna Gundersen, El Paso Times, June 1982 https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/history/2016/06/25/broken-melody-bobby-fuller-story-part-1/86139192/

“Setting the Record Straight on Bobby Fuller” No Depression, July 21, 2010 https://nodepression.org/setting-the-record-straight-on-bobby-fuller/

“The End of the Innocence” SPIN Apr 1991 https://books.google.com/books?id=tmnYK4rTBA4C&pg=PA41-IA1#v=onepage&q&f=false

“L.A. Confidential” by John Ratliff, Texas Monthly, May 2000 https://www.texasmonthly.com/true-crime/l-a-confidential/

“Celebrating a Disturbing New Bio, Bobby Fuller’s Band Rocks Burbank” by Tim Appelo, The Hollywood Reporter, Mar 10, 2015 https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/celebrating-a-disturbing-new-bio-780611/

“A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, Episode 138” by Andrew Hickey, Dec 1, 2021 https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-138-i-fought-the-law-by-the-bobby-fuller-four/

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

MTV's "Buckwild" & the Tragic Death of Shain Gandee

Episode 99

lundi 10 juin 2024 • Duration 45:01

We're delving into the wild world of MTV's controversial reality show, "Buckwild." In this episode, we explore the highs and lows of the series that captivated audiences with its portrayal of carefree youth in rural West Virginia. We'll discuss the show's instant popularity, the intense backlash from locals, and the real-life consequences that followed. Central to this story is the tragic and untimely death of Shain Gandee, a beloved cast member whose accidental passing shook fans and castmates alike.

Episode Sources:

“Buckwild star Shain GAndee died from carbon monoxide poisoning, tests show” by Dominic Rushe, April 2, 2013, The Guardian

https://web.archive.org/web/20130730181737/http://www.mtv.com/shows/buckwild/cast_characters.jhtml

“MTV Gets ‘Buckwild’ with New Series Premiering on Thursday, January 3 at 10:00 P.M. ET/PT” on November 29, 2012, from a Press Release from MTV, The Futon Critic

“New reality show follows W.Va. teens” by Mackenzie Mays, December 6, 2011, The Daily Athenaeum, thedaonline.com

“Buckwild Trailer 1 (2013) HD - MTV” from TVShowTrailerTVSpot on YouTube

“Buckwild” on MTV.com

“MTV’s ‘Buckwild’ - Where Are They Now?” by Anonymous, July 12, 2017, UWM Post

“Inside the MTV show ‘Buckwild’” by Lisa Respers France, April 3, 2013, CNN

“MTV Cancels ‘Buckwild’ Following Star Shain Gandee’s Death” by Lacy Rose, April 9, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter

“Shain Lelyn Gandee” obituary on Legacy.com

“‘Buckwild’s Shain Gandee: 10 Best Quotes” by E! Online

“Manchin asks MTV to cancel ‘Buckwild’” from Joe Manchin, December 7, 2012, Joe Manchin (manchin.senate.gov)

“Feeling Dragged Through the Mud, as MTV Comes to West Virginia” by Trip Gabriel, January 1, 2013, The New York Times

“On MTV’s Buckwild: A Rebuttle from a true West Virginian” by Kelsey Thomas, January 24, 2013, College Magazine

“‘Buckwild’ Star Shain Gandee Was Found By A Friend” by Katie Atkinson, April 1, 2013, MTV.com News

“Buckwild producer attacks MTV’s decision to cancel show” by Mark Sweney, April 10, 2013, The Guardian

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“His Name Is Ron: Our Search for Justice” by the family of Ron Goldman, with William and Marilyn Hoffer

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

The Life & Murder of Ron Goldman - Part 2

Episode 98

lundi 3 juin 2024 • Duration 01:02:26

When Ron Goldman saw Nicole Brown Simpson being brutally attacked, he could have saved himself and run away...but that's not who Ron was. He jumped in a tried to help her, and tragically it cost him his life. In Part 2 we'll talk about how each of Ron's family members found out about his death, the media circus going on all around them, and some aspects of the trial that you might not have heard about before, like Judge Lance Ito's "trial rules."

Episode Sources:

Confronting O.J. Simpson: The Life and Death of Ron Goldman

Who Was Ron Goldman? | 20/20 Barbara Walters Interview | 16 September 1994

Ron Goldman's Autopsy Report

The O. J. Simpson Trial: The Jury

The Plaintiffs' Witnesses in the Civil Trial

Kim Goldman's website

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“His Name Is Ron: Our Search for Justice” by the family of Ron Goldman, with William and Marilyn Hoffer

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

The Life & Murder of Ron Goldman - Part 1

Episode 97

lundi 27 mai 2024 • Duration 01:00:38

Ron Goldman could put a smile on anyone's face; just ask any of the inner-city kids that looked up to him as their camp counselor, or one of the cerebral palsy patients he used to dance with at the residence home where he worked. As the oldest of five siblings, he embraced the role of big brother and couldn't wait to have a family of his own. He was always looking out for others, whether it was giving them a pep talk or bringing them leftover food from Mezzaluna, the restaurant where he waited tables. Tragically, it would be a similar act of kindness that would land him in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Episode Sources:

Confronting O.J. Simpson: The Life and Death of Ron Goldman

“Victim Thrived on Life in Fast Lane, His Friends Recall” by Matthew Mosk & Carla Hall, LA Times, Jun. 15, 1994

“Ron Goldman, murdered 25 years ago at age 25 – ‘He was too young’” by Rachel Burchfield, Jun. 17, 2019

“Dreams of Better Days Died That Night : Ronald Goldman: A young man was finding his way through the maze of L.A.” by Carla Hall & Greg Krikorian, LA Times, Jul. 3, 1994

“Who Was Ron Goldman, The Man Who Was Killed Alongside O.J. Simpson’s Ex-Wife?” by Rivy Lyon, Edited by Jaclyn Anglis, Mar. 25, 2024

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“It Happened One Night . . . at MGM” by David Stenn, Vanity Fair, Apr. 1, 2003

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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

*Patreon Freebie!* Patricia Douglas: The Girl Who Took on MGM

Episode 96

lundi 20 mai 2024 • Duration 57:39

**Hi there, Misfits! We originally posted this episode on our Patreon back in April but have decided to release it for everyone. We hope you find this story as important as we did!**

CW: This episode contains discussion of rape.

Before Rose McGowan spoke out against Harvey Weinstein, before "MeToo" became a hashtag, before hashtags even existed, there was Patricia Douglas. Patricia - or Patsy, as she liked to be called - was a talented dancer living in Los Angeles in the 1930s. Her talent led her to dance in films with Ginger Rogers and Busby Berkeley, and her innocent nature and complete indifference to fame and celebrity attracted the friendship of several stars, including Bing Crosby and William Frawley. But that would all come to an abrupt end. On what should have been a typical night of work at MGM studios, Patsy and dozens of other underage girls were shuttled to a remote location and tricked into thinking they were extras in a movie. Things couldn't have been further from the truth.

Episode Sources:

“Remembering Patricia Douglas, the first woman to call out Hollywood for sexual assault” by Raechal Shewfelt, Oct. 19, 2017

“The Systematic Crushing of a #MeToo Pioneer” by David Stenn, New York Times, Jan. 5, 2018

“How a Hollywood Studio Got Away With Rape in 1937” by Stephen Galloway, The Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 13, 2017

“MGM’s Eddie Mannix and the lives he ruined” by Karina Longworth, Nov. 6, 2015

“Girl 27: The Patricia Douglas Story” Mar. 2, 2024

“The Mammoth Book of Hollywood Scandals: The Rape of Patricia Douglas” by Michelle Morgan

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“The Cursed Tale of Griffith Park” by Rebekah Rosewood, Jun. 14, 2023

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

Griffith Park: The Disturbing History of Hollywood's Most Popular Filming Spot

Episode 95

lundi 13 mai 2024 • Duration 01:25:11

Murders, stolen land, a curse, multiple ghost sightings...Griffith Park runs the gamut of nefarious acts and the paranormal. This popular Hollywood filming location also happens to be a preferred dumping ground of serial killers. Just something to think about.

Episode Sources:

“The Strange, and We Mean STRANGE, Curse of Griffith Park” by Seth Styles, John Hart Real Estate, Mar. 7, 2023

“Delusions of Grandeur: The Scandalous Crime of a Los Angeles Millionaire” by Dean Jobb, CrimeReads, Dec. 15, 2023

“Griffith Park — The Haunted And Cursed — Heart Of Los Angeles” by Paige Austin, Patch, Oct. 26, 2019

Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

“1800s curse led to the birth of one of America’s oldest urban parks” by Steve Chiotakis, KCRW, Oct. 31, 2023

“The Complex Life of Griffith J. Griffith” by Hadley Meares, PBS SoCal, Oct. 16, 2019

“Griffith Park: The Untold History" - Lost L.A. S4, E1

“Riots, Love Fests, Buried Secrets: Griffith Park's Hidden Histories” by Carren Jao, PBS SoCal, Oct. 16, 2019

“Griffith Park tops list of most popular L.A.-area filming sites” by Richard Verrier, LA Times, Jan. 28, 2015

“The Strangest Club in Los Angeles, The L.A. Breakfast Club” by James Bartlett, PBS SoCal, Mar. 16, 2017

The Los Angeles Breakfast Club

“Coexisting With Film Crews in Griffith Park” by Lucinda Phillips, Sep. 9, 2021

“150 years of misfortune in L.A.’s Griffith Park: A curse, ghosts and, now, an unknown woman’s skull” by Sarah Kaplan, The Washington Post, Mar. 28, 2016

“Griffith Park: Los Angeles’ Unofficial Graveyard” The True Crime Edition, Nov. 24, 2021

“Curse of Griffith Park” L.A. Almanac

“Griffith Park Fire Tragedy, 1933” L.A. Almanac

“The Fire of ’33"

“Rancho Los Feliz: An Anza Expedition Legacy” Noticias de Anza, Sep. 1997

“Ghost stories from Los Feliz” by Hadley Meares, Curbed Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 2017

“The Féliz Family: Pioneers of Los Angeles” y John Schmal, Indigenous Mexico

“Colonel Griffith J. Griffith one of L.A.’s more colorful figures” by Alison Bell, LA Times, Jun. 12, 2011

“California becomes the 31st state in record time”

“A Brief History Of LA's Indigenous Tongva People” by Annie Lloyd, LAist, Oct. 8, 2017

“Gabrielino/Tongva Nation of the Greater Los Angeles Basin” Native American Heritage Commission

“Griffith Park is named for a guy who shot his wife — and other true stories of L.A. parks” by Patt Morrison, LA Times, May 3, 2022

“Griffith Park: LA’s Greatest Gift” by Christopher Westbrook and Damien Blackshaw, The Real Los Angeles Tours, Apr. 26, 2022

“The Guide to Griffith Park in Los Angeles” Discover Los Angeles, Sep. 27, 2023

“Griffith Observatory: One of Hollywood’s biggest stars” by Edwin Folven, Beverly Press, Oct. 14, 2022

“Griffith Park is most popular LA filming location” Bakersfield Now, Jan. 27, 2015

For further reading: https://laghosttour.com/the-old-zoo-at-griffith-park/

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“Historical - 1211 - 2009” on Bran-Castle.com, Home > Historical

Creeptastic theme music by:

Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

Dracula's Castle: From Scream to Screen

Episode 94

lundi 29 avril 2024 • Duration 57:10

WE WANT TO SUCK YOUR BLOOD! Grab your garlic and crucifixes, Misfits. This week we’re talking about the history and hauntings of Dracula’s Castle, aka Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania. The castle was the inspiration for Dracula’s Castle in Bram Stoker’s classic novel “Dracula.” But the legend of Dracula goes deeper than a blood-sucking vampire maniac…there’s another psycho in our midst, and his name is Vlad the Impaler! Settle in for some horrific history as we explore Bran Castle and its place in entertainment history.

Episode Sources:

“The Myth of Count Dracula” on Bran-Castle.com, Home > Explore > Count Dracula

“Halloween At Bran Dracula’s Castle 2023 (Recommended For Adults Only), on BranCastle.com, Home > Events > Recent Events/

“A History of Dreads in Transylvania” on Bran-Castle.com, Home

“The Famous Bran Castle and The Story of Dracula,” One Excellence Tours

“The Legend of Dracula” on Nox Arcana

“A History of DRACULA in Pop Culture” by Annika Barranti Klein, May 26, 2022, Book Riot

“Bran Castle: Ghosts and Dracula Legends” by Amy, October 14, 2018, Amy’s Crypt

“Most Haunted Places in Romania” by Chrissy, April 4, 2023, updated April 28, 2023, The Walking Parrot

“Filming location matching ‘bran castle’” on iMDB.com

“A Tampa ghost hunter investigated Dracula’s castle. Did he speak to her?” by Paul Guzzo, Times staff, Published October 18, 2021, Tampa Bay Times

“Johnny Depp and His Hollywood Vampires Band Visit Dracula’s Castle with Tim Burton” by Dave Quinn, June 4, 2016, People

“A Visit to Bran Castle, Transylvania: Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Dracula,’ Vampires, And Horror On Display” by Kathryn Schroeder, October 8, 2013, Film Fracture

“Vlad the Impaler, ruler of Walachia” by Richard Pallardy, Fact-Checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, last updated April 16, 2024, Britannica

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