Mind of a Monster: The Butcher Baker

About Mind of a Monster: The Butcher Baker

Across the 2000s, under the shimmering lights of Hollywood, a murderer lay in wait. Watching, waiting and stalking his young and beautiful female neighbors, Michael Gargiulo bided his time until his opportune moment arrived – while they were sleeping. Breaking into their safe havens - their homes - he butchered his victims and then moved to a new location in tinsel town to find his next target.  Across six episodes, criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward talks with friends and acquaintances of Michael Gargiulo, investigators, experts and attorneys from the case, all to uncover the twisted world of The Hollywood Ripper.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

ID

Category

true crime

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

1 Sept 2021

Latest episode

16 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

35 of 73 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   16 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Your Next Listen: Murder in the Heartland

   This episode of Murder in the Heartland explores a provocative crime through the collective viewpoint of a small-town American community and its residents.

2. 

   14 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Trial | Ep.6

   Michael Gargiulo’s final victim bravely fights him off, leading to his eventual arrest. A media frenzy takes place as the serial killer takes the stand. With multiple powerful witness testimonies, shocking evidence and the death penalty on the table, a gripping court case takes place to determine Michael’s fate. Speaking with journalists, a victim’s friend, witnesses, experts and detectives, Dr. Michelle Ward follows the court proceedings blow by blow to uncover what is in store for the Hollywood Ripper.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   7 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Maria | Ep.5

   Another woman is found murdered, and this time Michael has gone even further with his brutality. In the wake of the investigation, there is a break in the case. Clear patterns are emerging and link multiple overkill murders of young women to the possibility of one suspect – Michael Gargiulo. The heat is on, but Michael continues to terrorize the women around him. Speaking with detectives and experts, Dr. Michelle Ward investigates another frenzied murder and how Michael behaves when he has chosen his next potential victim. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

468,519,662

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

1,925 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

1,612 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

28

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

99

Pitching Mind of a Monster: The Butcher Baker

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

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  Trace of Suspicion

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  Betrayal

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  Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings

• 

  Bridge of Lies

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