South Bay man accused of drugging and sexually abusing seven women, including one who died

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – A South Bay man who allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted seven women at his homes in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, including one who died as a result of the alleged drug use, has been charged with 18 felonies, including murder and rape the use of drugs.

Michael DiGiorgio, 50, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Friday and was ordered to return to court on Nov. 6 for arraignment.

According to the criminal complaint, DiGiorgio allegedly drugged and sexually abused the women between May 2019 and August 2020.

The woman who died in July 2020 as a result of suspected drug use was identified in the complaint only as “Jane Doe 1.”

The lawsuit alleges that DiGiorgio “personally inflicted serious bodily harm” on two other alleged victims who are not named in the sexual assault charges.

DiGiorgio is charged with one count each of murder, forcible rape, rape of an unconscious person and oral copulation using a drug, as well as two counts of sodomy using a drug, forcible sexual penetration and delivery of a controlled substance, according to the filing According to the district attorney’s office, there were cases of rape by drug use and five cases of sexual penetration by drug use.

DiGiorgio was arrested by Redondo Beach police Thursday morning and has been behind bars since then without bail, jail records show.

According to the district attorney’s office, if convicted as charged, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

In a statement announcing the charges, District Attorney George Gascón said, “I extend my deepest condolences to the victims whose lives were irrevocably changed and whose lives were lost as a result of the perpetrator’s alleged brutal actions…I encourage anyone with information in this regard.” to request that these incidents or any other incidents involving Mr. DiGiorgio be reported to the Redondo Beach Police Department.”

The Redondo Beach Police Department hotline can be reached at 714-863-2859.