A Southern California man faces charges of drugging and sexually abusing nine women, one of whom died as a result of the narcotics.
Michael DiGiorgio has been charged with murder, three counts of rape by drug use, two felony counts of sodomy by drug use, five felony counts of sexual penetration by drug use, and some additional sexual misconduct-related crimes, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors claim that from 2019 to 2021, DiGiorgio abused the women after drugging them in his homes in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, California. He was charged on October 18.
The district attorney’s office would not identify the ladies, but court documents show that the murder accusation is related to a 2020 event.
It is not immediately obvious whether DiGiorgio has entered a plea. His public defender did not immediately return a request for comment.
If convicted, DiGiorgio faces up to life in jail. He is currently being held in jail with no bail. Authorities suspect there may be further victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Redondo Beach Police Department’s hotline at 714-863-2859.
“I extend my deepest sympathy to the victims, whose lives have been irrevocably changed and the life lost by the alleged brutal acts of the offender,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Our office is committed to holding him accountable for the pain and trauma he has caused.”
Our community’s safety and well-being come first, and we will not accept this type of predatory behavior. I encourage anyone with knowledge about these instances or any additional incidents involving Mr. DiGiorgio to contact the Redondo Beach Police Department.”