Digest

This podcast delves into the chilling case of Christy Johnson, a 21-year-old aspiring filmmaker who vanished from the Hollywood Hills. The episode follows the investigation into her disappearance, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior by a man named Victor Paley Logus. Victor, posing as a casting director for a James Bond movie, lured young women to meet him at the Century City Mall, often asking them to wear provocative outfits. The podcast highlights the bravery of Susan Murphy, a young woman who had also been approached by Victor, and whose story helped the police connect the dots. The investigation led to Victor's identification and arrest, but he managed to escape from jail. The search for Christy's body proved difficult, but eventually, her remains were found partially hidden on a hillside. Victor was charged with her murder, and despite the lack of forensic evidence, he eventually pleaded guilty. However, he later attempted to withdraw his plea, claiming sleep deprivation and pressure from his lawyer. The episode then introduces Kathy DeBono, a woman who had been targeted by Victor. Kathy, convinced of his guilt and potential for further crimes, began researching his past and suspected him in other unsolved cases. She investigated a cold case in Pennsylvania, believing there might be a connection between Victor and a Jane Doe whose murder occurred around the time he was in the area. Determined to obtain Victor's DNA, Kathy visited him in prison and used a clever tactic to collect a sample. She also managed to get him to confess to killing Christy Johnson, though his account was a fabricated story. The podcast concludes with the revelation that Victor, due to new prison rules, became eligible for parole. Kathy, along with Christy's family, mobilized to oppose his release, raising awareness and writing letters to the parole board. Victor, possibly due to the public outcry, postponed his hearing. The episode reflects on the impact of Victor's crimes and the importance of recognizing and addressing the signs of psychopathy. It highlights the resilience of victims and their families in their pursuit of justice.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Case of Christy Johnson

This episode introduces the case of Christy Johnson, a 21-year-old woman who vanished from the Hollywood Hills. It highlights the predator who targeted her and the sisterhood of women who came together to seek justice.

00:01:55

Christy Johnson's Disappearance

Christy Johnson, a 21-year-old aspiring filmmaker, disappeared after going to meet a photographer at the Century City Mall. Her family and friends were devastated and launched a search for her.

00:03:28

The Investigation Begins

The police investigated Christy's disappearance, interviewing her roommate, checking security footage at the mall, and contacting local hospitals. They received a crucial tip from a young woman named Susan Murphy, who had also been approached by a man at the mall.

00:06:55

The Slippery Predator

Susan Murphy's story revealed a pattern of behavior by a man who called himself Victor Thomas. He had approached several young women, promising them roles in a James Bond movie, and asking them to wear specific provocative outfits.

00:12:29

The Hunt for Victor

The police investigated Victor Thomas, but he seemed elusive. They received numerous tips, including one from a parole officer who recognized Victor from a composite sketch.

00:18:47

Victor Paley Logus Identified

The police finally identified Victor as Victor Paley Logus, a parolee with a history of sexual assault. He was in custody for auto theft, but managed to escape from jail.

00:31:04

The Search for Christy's Body

The police searched for Christy's body, but found no trace of her. They received a tip from a real estate agent who had shown Victor houses in the Hollywood Hills.

00:40:28

Christy's Car Found

Christy's car was found parked at the St. Regis Hotel valet parking area. The valet attendant told detectives that a man had dropped off the car before dawn, the morning after Christy disappeared.

00:43:45

Christy's Body Found

Hikers found Christy's body partially hidden by a sleeping bag on a steep hillside in the Hollywood Hills. She had been strangled and her hands and feet were bound.

00:47:53

Victor's Past and Crimes

The police investigated Victor's past and discovered a pattern of predatory behavior towards women. They found numerous victims who had been assaulted or threatened by him.

00:55:15

Victor's Trial and Conviction

Victor Paley Logus was charged with Christy Johnson's murder. The prosecution presented a parade of women who had encountered Victor, each with a similar story of being lured to a fake audition.

01:04:45

Victor's Guilty Plea and Sentence

The trial was circumstantial, with no forensic evidence linking Victor to Christy's murder. Victor eventually pleaded guilty to her death, but refused to reveal details of the crime.

01:11:25

Victor's Plea Withdrawal Attempt

Victor Paley Logus, convicted of murdering Christy Johnson, attempts to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming sleep deprivation and pressure from his lawyer. The judge denies the motion, stating that a plea cannot be withdrawn simply due to a change of mind. Christy's family, particularly her father Kirk, expresses their pain and anger towards Victor.

01:13:15

Kathy DeBono's Pursuit of Justice

Kathy DeBono, a woman who had been targeted by Victor Paley Logus, visits him in prison after his conviction. She confronts him about his crimes, but he maintains his innocence. Kathy, convinced of Victor's guilt and potential for further crimes, begins researching his past and suspects him in other unsolved cases.

01:17:33

Investigating a Cold Case

Kathy DeBono investigates a cold case in Pennsylvania, focusing on a Jane Doe whose murder occurred around the time Victor Paley Logus was in the area. She believes there might be a connection between Victor and the victim, particularly due to the victim's pregnancy.

01:19:34

Confronting Victor Paley Logus

Kathy DeBono, determined to obtain Victor Paley Logus's DNA, visits him in prison. She uses a clever tactic, kissing him on the cheek and then rubbing a band-aid on his arm, to collect his DNA. She also manages to get him to confess to killing Christy Johnson, though his account is a fabricated story.

01:23:10

Victor's Parole Hearing

Despite the prosecutor's assurance that Victor Paley Logus would never be paroled, new prison rules in California make him eligible for a parole hearing. Kathy DeBono is shocked to discover this and mobilizes Christy's family and other victims to oppose his release.

01:25:33

Fighting for Justice

Kathy DeBono and Christy's family work together to raise awareness about Victor Paley Logus's parole hearing. They create a website, get media coverage, and write letters to the parole board. Victor, possibly due to the public outcry, postpones his hearing.

01:26:15

Reflecting on the Past

Kathy DeBono reflects on her experience with Victor Paley Logus and the impact of his crimes. She expresses regret for not knowing about his past and the potential danger he posed. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the signs of psychopathy.

01:26:52

Victor's Pattern of Violence

The episode reveals that Victor Paley Logus had been looking at empty houses in the Hollywood Hills before he killed Christy Johnson. This suggests a pattern of premeditation and a desire to find secluded locations for his crimes.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the main method Victor Paley Logus used to lure his victims?

  Victor would approach young women at the Century City Mall, claiming to be a casting director for a James Bond movie. He would ask them to come to an audition and wear specific provocative outfits.

• How did the police finally identify Victor Paley Logus as the suspect in Christy Johnson's murder?

  The police received a tip from a parole officer who recognized Victor from a composite sketch. They then discovered that Victor was in custody for auto theft, but had escaped from jail.

• What was the significance of the women who came forward with their stories about Victor Paley Logus?

  The women's testimonies were crucial in establishing a pattern of behavior by Victor, which helped to build a strong case against him, even though there was no forensic evidence linking him directly to Christy's murder.

• What was the outcome of Victor Paley Logus's trial?

  Victor eventually pleaded guilty to Christy Johnson's murder, but refused to reveal details of the crime. He was sentenced to prison, but the exact length of his sentence was not disclosed in the transcript.

• Why did Victor Paley Logus try to withdraw his guilty plea?

  Victor claimed he was sleep-deprived and pressured by his lawyer to plead guilty. However, the judge denied his motion, stating that a plea cannot be withdrawn simply due to a change of mind.

• How did Kathy DeBono obtain Victor Paley Logus's DNA?

  Kathy kissed Victor on the cheek and then rubbed a band-aid on his arm, knowing that he had shaved his arms. This allowed her to collect his DNA without him realizing.

• What was Victor Paley Logus's confession to Kathy DeBono like?

  Victor confessed to meeting Christy Johnson at the mall, inviting her to his house, and engaging in consensual sex. He claimed that he tried to wake her up after erotic asphyxiation went too far, but she wouldn't wake up. This story was fabricated and designed to minimize his culpability.

• Why was Victor Paley Logus eligible for parole?

  New prison rules in California made inmates over 50 with more than 20 years served eligible for parole hearings. This meant that Victor, despite his conviction for first-degree murder, was eligible for a hearing.

• What steps did Kathy DeBono and Christy's family take to oppose Victor Paley Logus's parole?

  They created a website, got media coverage, and wrote letters to the parole board. Their efforts led to Victor postponing his hearing.

• What is the significance of Victor Paley Logus's habit of looking at empty houses?

  It suggests a pattern of premeditation and a desire to find secluded locations for his crimes. This reinforces the belief that he is a dangerous individual who poses a threat to the public.

Show Notes