Former Hollywood producer David Brian Pearce has been sentenced to 146 years to life in prison after being convicted of two murders connected to a fentanyl overdose case that drew national attention.
Pearce was arrested in December 2021 following the deaths of Christy Giles, 24, and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, 26. Both women were found unresponsive after a night out in Los Angeles, leading to an investigation that uncovered a chilling pattern of abuse.
The Night That Ended in Tragedy
Authorities said the two women met Pearce at a warehouse party in East Los Angeles before going to his Beverly Hills apartment later that night. Within hours, both victims were abandoned at separate hospitals under suspicious circumstances.
Giles was pronounced dead upon arrival, while Cabrales-Arzola was placed on life support but died 11 days later, one day before her 27th birthday.
Toxicology reports from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that both women had fentanyl and GHB in their systems. Their deaths were ruled homicides, sparking outrage across California.
Prosecutors Say Pearce Used Drugs to Commit Sexual Assault
During the trial, Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano told the court that Pearce was fully aware of how lethal fentanyl can be, yet still gave it — along with GHB — to the victims in order to sexually assault them.
Pearce maintained his innocence, claiming he never witnessed the women consume any drugs. However, after two days of deliberation, a jury found him guilty on all charges, including rape and sexual assault involving seven other women dating back to 2007.
District Attorney: “Justice Has Finally Been Served”
After the verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned Pearce as a serial predator who used his influence to exploit women for more than a decade.
“This ruling brings long-overdue justice for Ms. Cabrales-Arzola, Ms. Giles, and the courageous survivors who came forward,” Hochman said in a statement shared with TheWrap. “Not only were these victims assaulted, but their lives were taken in a horrific, drug-fueled act by Pearce. I want to thank Deputy District Attorneys Catherine Mariano and Seth Carmack, along with the LAPD and the Sex Crimes Division, for their relentless work on this case.”
Hochman added that this case underscores the growing danger of fentanyl abuse, emphasizing that those who use it to harm or exploit others will face severe punishment.
Accessory Trial Ends Without Verdict
In a related case, Brandt Osborn, a struggling actor accused of helping Pearce after the incident, was charged as an accessory. However, the jury failed to reach a decision, prompting Judge Eleanor J. Hunter of the Los Angeles Superior Court to declare a mistrial.
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