A California man is facing charges of murder and rape for allegedly drugging sexually assaulting nine woman, including one that lost her life as result of the drugging, prosecutors said Friday.
50-year-old Michael DiGiorgio is being charged with multiple counts of murder, rape by use of a drug and furnishing a controlled substance, among other charges, according to court records obtained by CNN.
Prosecutors said the sexual assaults took place between May 2019 and November 2021 at DiGiorgios homes in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach and investigators believe more victims will come forward.
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The woman who was allegedly killed by DiGiorgio is identified as Jane Doe 1 in the complaint.
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, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a news release. Our office is committed to holding him accountable for the pain and trauma he has inflicted.
Prosecutors also added a special allegation against DiGiorgio alleging that he caused great bodily injury to a victim during the furnishing of a controlled substance, which carries a special sentencing enhancement.
If convicted, DiGiorgio would face up to life in prison and is currently being held without bond, according to Los Angeles County booking records. He was scheduled to appear for arraignment on Friday and enter a plea, but that hearing was postponed until Nov. 6, according to court records.
Records show that he is being represented by the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Office. CNN reportedly reached out to his attorney for comment on Friday for comment but have yet to hear back.
DiGiorgio was charged in 2020 for an unrelated case of rape of a person unconscious or asleep, among multiple other charges, but the case was dismissed for lack of a speedy trial, according to court records. DiGiorgio pleaded not guilty to those charges.
I encourage anyone with information related to these incidents or any other incidents regarding Mr. DiGiorgio to report it to the Redondo Beach Police Department, Gascón said in the statement.
The nine victims in this case are not being identified in accordance with Marsys Law, the California statute which protects victims of sexual assault or violence from having their personal or confidential information disclosed during public criminal proceedings.
The charges filed against him include:
Investigators are asking any other victims in this case to come forward to The Redondo Beach Police Department whos hotline can be reached at (714) 863-2859.
