Case 195
The Costa Mesa Murders
On the evening of May 22 2010, Steve Herr drove over to his son Sam’s apartment in Costa Mesa, California. The 26-year-old college student was supposed to be spending the weekend with his parents but when he never showed up, Steve decided to check on him. Upon entering the residence, Steve made a horrifying discovery – the brutally murdered body of 23-year-old Juri Kibuishi, better known as Julie, lay in his son’s bedroom.
With no sign of Sam, police concluded he had gone on the run after assaulting and killing Julie. A desperate manhunt began as detectives began tracking Sam’s last known actions. Their investigation would lead them to a man who knew more than he was letting on – Sam’s friend and downstairs neighbour, Daniel Wozniak.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Erin Munro
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS
Killing for you: A brave soldier, a beautiful dancer and a shocking double murder – Keith Elliot Greenberg
ONLINE ARTICLES
Clues and evidence in the murders of Julie Kibuishi and Sam Herr – CBS News
Prior murder adds another layer to Wozniak case – Voice of OC
Killer performance: Investigation of California murders unfolds like a big-screen mystery – CBS News
Transcripts: Costa Mesa man confesses to killings – The Los Angeles Times
Community theater actor sentenced to death for killing, dismembering Afghanistan vet to pay for wedding – The Washington Post
California man guilty of killing military vet, friend – CBS News
This community theatre actor’s final performance was a chilling confession to double murder – ABC News
Convicted killer Daniel Wozniak has left San Quentin, sparking criticism – Orange County Register
NEWS ARCHIVES
Police: Actor beheads neighbor – Livingston County Daily Press and Argus
Actor arrested in double homicide – The Los Angeles Times
Trial begins in slaying of O.C. veteran, friend – The Los Angeles Times
‘As coldblooded as a murder gets’ – The Los Angeles Times
Man guilty in murder of 2 in O.C. – The Los Angeles Times
Death penalty for O.C. killer – The Los Angeles Times
Murderer sentenced to death – The Los Angeles Times
Brother of double killer is arrested – The Los Angeles Times
Ex-fiancee of O.C. killer gets 32 months – The Los Angeles Times
VIDEOS
Was she an accomplice to murder? – Dr Phil
The Final Act – 20/20
The Mystery in Apartment 410 – 20/20
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Article – Get $50 off your first order of $100 or more
OUAI – Get 15% off your entire purchase with promo code ‘CASEFILE’
BetterHelp – Get 10% off your first month of professional counselling with a licensed therapist
Noom – The last weight loss program you’ll need. Start your trial today
ZipRecruiter – Post your jobs for FREE