Advertise on podcast: Mind of a Monster: The Cross-Country Killer

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After getting caught using the victim’s bank card, Israel Keyes admits to killing local girl Samantha Koenig and disposing of her body in a frozen lake. When he gives a horrific blow-by-blow description of how he did it, investigators realize they have caught a very experienced serial killer. But Keyes won’t reveal any more victims unless they meet his impossible demands.   Speaking with detectives and experts, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates how this master of discretion abandoned his rules and ended up getting caught. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Anchorage, Alaska, 18-year-old Samantha Koenig is abducted while working at a coffee stand, sending panic through the city.  Police initially struggle to find a solid lead – until the kidnapper delivers a ransom note.  Following the trail down to Texas, FBI agents finally catch up with the suspect – a man called Israel Keyes.  But he claims to know nothing about the girl’s disappearance.  Speaking with witnesses and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward explores the search for Samantha – and investigates how this crime differs from the typical Israel Keyes MO.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the remote mountains of north-west Washington, Israel Keyes splits his time between taking care of his young family and hunting for victims. When he travels to visit family members in other states, The Cross-Country Killer discovers fresh hunting grounds and develops new methods of killing in secret. Increasingly emboldened, his murder spree culminates in a horrendous attack on a suburban couple.   Speaking with witnesses and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates how Keyes perfects his MO – and then deviates from it in search of sustaining the adrenaline high.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After an isolated childhood in the woods, Israel Keyes realises he’s a psychopath – with an urge to rape and kill. When he distances himself from his ultra religious family, he finds a new home in the Army – where his survivalist skillset is appreciated. But his uncontrolled sadism leads to a series of violent encounters that almost get him caught, and he realizes he must set boundaries for himself – and plan a more covert method of killing.   Dr. Michelle Ward explores how Israel Keyes separates his life into two parallel personalities – the regular family guy and the sadistic serial killer.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season eight of Mind of a Monster begins in the wild and remote city of Anchorage, Alaska where Israel Keyes is being questioned about the abduction of a young woman. Unearthing information from his childhood, we find he was reared in the woods learning survivalist skills that primed him for his future killings. Showing early signs of disturbing  behavior, Israel hones his skills and attempts his first kill as a young man.   Speaking to childhood friends and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates the pivotal moment that saw Israel Keyes shift from troubled child to killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2000s Anchorage, Alaska: a beautiful city with vast wilderness and a sparse, spread-out population. It's the perfect hiding ground for a deadly predator to remain off the radar. In its midst is Israel Keyes - a family man and construction worker who doubles up as a master murderer, covering his tracks with precision. His family doesn’t think twice when he leaves for long road trips, during which he methodically plans and carries out incredibly brutal murders with victims selected at random. In this 6-part series, hear through recorded interviews how one of the US's most prolific, but not widely known, serial killers, perceived himself and how he committed some of the horrific killings he is responsible for. Criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward investigates through talking with friends and colleagues of Israel Keyes, investigators and detectives from the case, all to uncover the dark world of The Cross-Country Killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season seven of Mind of a Monster begins in the picturesque town of Groton, Massachusetts where Kristen Gilbert is raised.  From an early age, Kristen begins to spin concerning and elaborate lies to garner attention. In her young adulthood, an admirable path into healthcare is chosen by Kristen but during her training years, she begins to practice power over those in her care starting with a young disabled boy and takes advantage of his vulnerable state.     Speaking to experts and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates the pivotal moment that saw Kristen Gilbert shift from troubled child to dangerous young woman.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.