A former Hollywood producer has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of murder and sexual assault charges.
David Pearce will serve 146 years to life for the drug-induced murders of two models and seven counts of sexual assault.
The court found that Pearce had given a deadly mix of drugs to 24-year-old model and aspiring actress Christy Giles, and her friend, 26-year-old Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, at his Beverly Hills home. The incident occurred after he met the women at a party in East Los Angeles on November 13, 2021.
Both women were found to have overdosed on fentanyl and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The prosecution presented evidence of sexual assault, including DNA found on Cabrales-Arzola.
Shortly after arriving at Pearce’s residence, Hilda attempted to call a rideshare service but remained at the location with Christy for several hours.
Pearce was accused of dropping off the women at separate hospitals in Los Angeles using vehicles without license plates. Christy was pronounced dead upon arrival, while Hilda was initially revived but later succumbed to brain damage after an 11-day coma, passing away just before her birthday.
During the trial, it was revealed that Pearce allegedly told a friend, “dead girls can’t talk,” demonstrating a disregard for the lives of his victims.
Pearce described his apartment as a frequent ‘crash pad’ and ‘party house,’ suggesting that it was common for guests to lose consciousness there. He claimed to have attempted CPR on the women before taking them to the hospital.
Following his arrest, additional allegations of sexual assault emerged from seven other women spanning incidents from 2007 to 2021.
In February, Pearce was found guilty of the murders, receiving a sentence of 25 years to life for each charge. Additional sentences were imposed for the sex crimes against the other victims.
Judge Eleanor Hunter declared that Pearce would spend the remainder of his life in prison, labeling him as a criminal devoid of remorse or compassion.
During the trial, Pearce’s legal team suggested the women may have mistakenly used the drug, thinking it was cocaine, and denied the sexual assault claims.
A mistrial was declared for Pearce’s co-defendant, Brandt Walter Osborn, who faces a retrial next month for accessory to murder charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman remarked, “This sentence delivers long-awaited justice for Ms. Cabrales-Arzola, Ms. Giles, and the courageous sexual assault victims who came forward and testified.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by the topics discussed, The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 800.656.HOPE (4673) for support. Alternatively, online assistance is available via online.rainn.org.