'48 Hours' Preview: Hollywood Ripper Case Examined After 'Huge' Development Changes Everything

On Saturday night, "48 Hours" will take a closer look at Michael Gargiulo, the serial killer known to many as "The Hollywood Ripper." In the upcoming episode of the CBS crime show, host Maureen Maher will continue investigating a case she has followed for over 10 years.

In 2008, "48 Hours" covered the then-unsolved murder of Tricia Pacaccio. In 1993, the young girl's body was found on the doorstep of her family's home in Glenview, Illinois. Initially, the police did not name Gargiulo as a suspect, even though he had been living around the corner from the scene. However, Pacaccio's family believed he had played a role in her murder.

After his first crime, Gargiulo then went to Los Angeles where he is said to have stabbed 22-year-old Ashley Ellerin 47 times. On the night of her death, Ellerin had been preparing for a date with "That '70s Show" actor Ashton Kutcher. On the night in question, he had arrived at her home to find what he believed was "spilled wine all over the place," but that was later determined to the blood of the fashion student.

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In 2005, Gargiulo then killed Mario Bruno, who was a mother of four, inside her apartment. According to those who studied the case, they believed that she had been asleep at the time of her attack.

However, in 2008, Gargiulo struck once again, but this specific attack "would change everything."

As seen in the preview below, Maher asks an investigator about Michelle Murphy's interaction with Gargiulo that year. After asking how she had been able to escape him, the official responded, "She fought." As a result of her actions, blood was later recovered from the steps outside of her apartment. This would turn out to be a "huge" development in the case.

Then, in 2011, an unexpected break came in the case thanks to an episode of "48 Hours." Following the broadcast, two key witnesses came forward and Gargiulo was finally charged with the murder of Pacaccio.

On Saturday night, the CBS show will "go inside the investigation that connected police in two states and brought Gargiulo to trial in California," as stated by a press release. It will also look at the single survivor and how the killer was able to get away with his crimes for such an extended period of time.

This two-hour episode of "48 Hours," called "The Hollywood Ripper," will air Saturday night at 9 p.m. EDT on CBS.