Ashton Kutcher Testifies at Trial of Alleged Serial Killer Known as the ‘Hollywood Ripper’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 29: Ashton Kutcher testifies during the trial of alleged serial killer Michael Gargiulo, known as the “Hollywood Ripper,” at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on May 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Gargiulo is facing murder charges, including the February 21, 2001 stabbing death of Kutcher’s friend Ashley Ellerin. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Ashton Kutcher testified Wednesday at the trial of an alleged serial killer accused of murdering multiple women, including his friend Ashley Ellerin, People Magazine reports. ‘ ‘
Back in 2001, Ellerin, then 22, had planned to attend a post-Grammy party with Kutcher. But while she was getting ready in her home, suspected serial killer Michael Gargiulo reportedly snuck in and stabbed her dozens of times.
“We believe she had just exited the shower and was getting ready to go out with Mr. Kutcher when she was attacked from behind,” Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Dan Akemon said in the courtroom, according to People.
Kutcher, now 41, is one of more than 100 witnesses scheduled to testify against Gargiulo, now 43. Gargiulo, a former air-conditioner repairman and bouncer, has been described as a “serial, psychosexual thrill killer” by authorities.
According to reports, he stalked Ellerin, along with multiple other women, and often showed up at their homes unannounced.
On the night of her murder, when Kutcher was set to pick Ellerin up, she did not answer her phone. He peered through the window and saw what he believed to be red wine stains on the floor. Cops later said they believed the stains were blood.
Ellerin’s roommate found her body the next morning, People reports.
Gargiulo has pleaded not guilty to killing Ellerin as well as several other women. Prosecutors are reportedly seeking the death penalty.
