You’ve probably seen the headlines or felt that weird tension on Nextdoor lately. Whenever a string of violent crimes hits the San Fernando Valley, the "S-word" starts flying around. People get scared. They start locking their doors twice and eyeing their neighbors. Honestly, it’s hard not to. But if you’re looking for the latest north hollywood serial killer news, you have to separate the neighborhood rumors from the actual police files.
Right now, the Valley isn't being stalked by a single cinematic monster. It’s actually a mix of high-profile cold case updates and some very recent, very brutal individual crimes that have everyone on edge.
The Valley Village Stabbing and the "Serial" Rumors
In May 2025, a wave of panic hit the 12600 block of Riverside Drive. A 53-year-old man named Menashe “Manny” Hidra was found dead in his apartment after a welfare check. He’d been stabbed with a screwdriver.
The security footage was nightmare fuel. It showed a man in a hoodie trying to force his way into multiple units at the Ashton Sherman Village complex before finally getting inside. Because the suspect seemed to be "hunting" for a door that would open, the internet did what it does best: it started calling him a serial killer.
The LAPD eventually arrested 27-year-old Erick Escamilla. Prosecutors, including District Attorney Nathan Hochman, charged him with murder under special circumstances. While the "serial killer" tag was officially shot down by investigators, the randomness of the attack is what really stuck with people. It wasn't a targeted hit; it was a terrifyingly opportunistic home invasion.
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Why people are still talking about the "Hollywood Ripper"
You can't talk about north hollywood serial killer news without mentioning Michael Gargiulo. Even though he’s behind bars, his case is constantly in the news because of the sheer scale of the legal process.
Gargiulo, famously known as the "Hollywood Ripper" or the "Chiller Killer," lived in the area for years. He was the guy next door—literally. He was convicted of the 2001 murder of Ashley Ellerin (who was famously supposed to go on a date with Ashton Kutcher that night) and the 2005 murder of Maria Bruno.
The latest update? In late 2024, Gargiulo was extradited to Illinois. He’s finally facing trial for the 1993 murder of Tricia Pacaccio. Even though he’s already been sentenced to death in California, this new trial is about getting closure for a family that’s been waiting over 30 years. It reminds everyone in North Hollywood that sometimes the "monster" is just a guy who fixes air conditioners and lives down the hall.
The San Fernando Valley "Dating App" Predator
Sometimes the danger isn't a shadowy figure in an alley. Sometimes it’s a guy you met on an app.
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Last year, the Valley saw the sentencing of Charles Edward Gaines III. This case didn't always get the "serial" label in the national news, but for the women in North Hollywood and Northridge, it was exactly that. Gaines used fake names on dating apps to lure victims.
He didn't just rob them; he committed a series of violent sexual assaults across the San Fernando Valley between 2019 and 2020. He was finally caught because of DNA evidence and sentenced to 19 years. It’s a different kind of "serial" news, but it’s the kind that actually changes how people in the neighborhood live their daily lives.
Cold Cases and DNA Breakthroughs in 2026
DNA is basically the local hero of the LAPD right now. Just this month, in January 2026, we’ve seen more movement on cold cases than we have in decades.
- The "Happy Face Killer" connection: While Keith Hunter Jesperson is a name usually associated with the Pacific Northwest, investigators are still working to identify "Claudia," a victim he dumped decades ago. Recent DNA genealogy suggests she had ties to the Los Angeles and San Bernardino areas.
- The Billy Ray Richardson Case: This was a big one that recently closed out. Richardson was linked to four murders from the 80s and 90s, including a double murder of two sisters in Palms. He died in custody recently before he could face trial, which was a huge blow to the families hoping for a day in court.
How to stay safe in North Hollywood today
It’s easy to get lost in the "true crime" of it all, but the reality on the ground is about basic situational awareness. The LAPD’s North Hollywood Division has been pushing for more residential security, especially after the Escamilla case.
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If you want to stay informed without the hyperbole, here is what you should actually do:
- Follow the LAPD North Hollywood Twitter/X account: They post real-time alerts about "hot prowl" burglaries, which is usually where these "serial" rumors start.
- Verify on the LA County DA's website: If you hear about a "new serial killer," check the official news releases from District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office. They are very quick to clarify if multiple crimes are linked to a single suspect.
- Upgrade your tech: Ring cameras and Nest cams are why guys like Escamilla get caught. The footage is often the only thing that moves a "random" crime into a solvable case.
The "serial killer" label is heavy. It's scary. But most of the north hollywood serial killer news you see today is actually the sound of the justice system finally catching up with people who thought they got away with it years ago. Whether it's a screwdriver-wielding intruder or a cold case from 1993, the Valley is a lot harder to hide in than it used to be.
Be careful with your dating apps, lock your windows, and keep an eye on the actual data rather than the neighborhood gossip.