A Southern California man is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting nine women, one of whom died, prosecutors said.
Michael DiGiorgio, 50, has been charged with murder and three felony counts of rape by drug in connection with events that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says took place at his homes in Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
The alleged attacks took place from May 2019 through November 2021, the district attorney said Friday.
Officials are investigating whether other women were attacked.
DiGiorgio was also charged with two felony counts of sodomy by use of a drug, five felony counts of sexual penetration by use of a drug, one felony count of oral copulation by use of a drug, one felony count of forcible rape, two felonies. of forcible sexual penetration, one felony count of rape of an unconscious person and two misdemeanor counts of furnishing a controlled substance.
Prosecutors said DiGiorgio, while providing a controlled substance, caused great bodily harm.
He was arrested by Redondo Beach police Thursday morning and remains in jail, NBC Los Angeles reported.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Friday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. It is not immediately clear whether he has an attorney. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the victims, whose lives were irrevocably changed and lives lost due to the alleged brutal actions of the perpetrator,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “Our office wants to hold him accountable for the pain and trauma he caused.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
