A 50-year-old man from California, identified as Michael DiGiorgio, has been formally charged with drugging and sexually assaulting a total of nine women at his residences in the picturesque oceanfront communities of Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. This alarming news was announced by prosecutors on Friday. In a particularly grim detail, DiGiorgio is also charged with the murder of one victim, who tragically died after being drugged.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorneyās Office, the alleged incidents took place between 2019 and 2021. In addition to the murder charge, DiGiorgio faces an array of serious offenses, including three felony counts of rape by use of a drug, other sexual offenses involving the administration of a controlled substance, and two felony counts related to furnishing a controlled substance.
The identity of the woman who died in July 2020 remains undisclosed, as do the names of two other victims who reportedly suffered significant bodily harm due to DiGiorgioās actions. Prosecutors have not provided specific details regarding how DiGiorgio met these women or the nature of the drugs believed to have been used during the assaults.
As of now, it remains unclear whether DiGiorgio has secured legal representation. A call made to the Los Angeles County Public Defenderās Office, which is said to be representing him, went unanswered on Friday afternoon.
Prosecutors have expressed concern that there may be additional victims and are actively encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward. In a heartfelt statement, Los Angeles County District Attorney George GascĆ³n extended his deepest sympathies to the victims, emphasizing the irreversible impact these alleged brutal acts have had on their lives. He urged anyone with information about these incidents or any related occurrences involving DiGiorgio to report them to the Redondo Beach Police Department.
If convicted on all counts, Michael DiGiorgio faces a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with no bail set following his arrest on Wednesday, as indicated in court documents.
Interestingly, records show that DiGiorgio was previously arrested in July 2020 on charges related to drug offenses and sexual assault. However, that case was dismissed in December 2021 due to a lack of a speedy trial. The district attorney’s office has clarified that ongoing concerns for public safety prompted further investigation after the initial case was dropped, ultimately leading to the filing of this new set of charges.
Research contributed by Susan C. Beachy.