Convicted California Serial Killer Returned to Cook County to Face Charge for 1993 Murder

COOK COUNTY, IL - A convicted serial killer currently sentenced to death row in California appeared in the Skokie Courthouse today for the 1993 murder of an 18-year-old Glenview woman.

Michael Gargiulo, 48, formerly of Glenview, made his first court appearance today for the murder of Tricia Pacaccio, more than 13 years after he was initially charged with her slaying.

"The arrest and prosecution of Michael Gargiulo marks a crucial moment in our pursuit of justice for Tricia Pacaccio," said Sheriff Dart. "While nothing can erase the pain of her loss, we remain committed to the Pacaccio family and are grateful that they can finally see this case move forward."

In August 1993, Sheriff's Police Detectives opened an investigation into the murder of 18-year-old Tricia Pacaccio, a recent high-school graduate who was found stabbed several times on the doorstep of her family's home in unincorporated Glenview.

During the course of their investigation, detectives learned Gargiulo was a family friend and neighbor of the victim. In 2003, detectives linked Gargiulo to DNA material found under Pacaccio's fingernails, but prosecutors declined to approve charges at that time.

The investigation continued until 2011, when Gargiulo was charged with Pacaccio's murder following his arrest in 2008 for a string of violent attacks in California that left two women dead and another woman injured.

In 2019, he was convicted of murder and attempted murder for the California attacks and was sentenced to death in 2021.

On Thursday, Gargiulo was extradited to Illinois and appeared today for his initial hearing at the Skokie Courthouse, where he was ordered detained. His next court date was scheduled for Sept. 20.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.

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