More alleged victims identified in sexual assault murder case of Redondo Beach man

A Redondo Beach man accused of drugging and sexually abusing multiple women remains in custody as prosecutors search for more alleged victims to add to the case.

Michael DiGiorgio, 50, was charged last month by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office with multiple counts of rape, sodomy and one count of murder.

This is the second time he has been charged in connection with assaults on women. In August 2020, he faced similar charges that were dismissed but were recently reinstated with the addition of a murder charge.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Susan DeWitt denied DiGiorgio's request for bail, saying he continued to engage in “extraordinarily dangerous” behavior after the dismissal of a previous case. Prosecutors allege DiGiorgio continued to drug and sexually abuse women at his home after the case was dropped.

The previous case against him was dismissed in 2021 due to a technicality surrounding a search warrant for his electronic devices, court records show. Prosecutors intended to reopen their case, but waited more than three years.

Between the two cases, prosecutors monitored his home, reviewed the evidence and concluded a murder charge was warranted.

He was arrested and charged for the second time on October 16 after prosecutors re-examined the facts surrounding the alleged crimes. Investigators also monitored his home and reportedly observed young women leaving the home. During a search of his home, investigators found a clear vial that tested positive for a drug that could be used to anesthetize a person, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Catherine Ann Mariano said in court Wednesday.

Prosecutors believe DiGiorgio also administered fentanyl to his victims, and investigators have identified six other women who they say were sexually assaulted while unconscious and recorded.

According to authorities, the crimes were allegedly committed between 2019 and November 2021 at DiGiorgio's homes in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. According to court records, DiGiorgio is charged with murder, drug rape and other charges against Jane Doe 1 on July 6, 2020.

He is also charged with selling or transporting a controlled substance on November 28, 2021.

DiGiorgio appeared in court handcuffed, bare-chested and with his prison jumpsuit pulled down to his waist. He spoke no more than a few words to his defense attorney, Pat Carey, who said his client did not try to flee the state after his previous case was dismissed, suggesting his client is not a flight risk.

Mariano said DiGiorgio's imprisonment was a public safety issue because his previous arrest did not appear to deter him from drugging and sexually abusing more victims.

Carey declined to comment outside the courtroom, telling the court he needed more time to review the evidence in the case. More charges could be added to the case, Mariano said, as the investigation continues to develop.