Crime and Coffee Couple – Bonus: Halloween Horrors | The Trick or Treat Murder from American Criminal

Hosts: Allison & Mike
Guest Episode: American Criminal (Host: Jeremy Schwartz)
Released: October 18, 2025

Overview

In this chilling bonus episode, Allison and Mike of Crime and Coffee Couple showcase an episode from American Criminal’s Halloween series, “The Trick or Treat Murder.” Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the episode delves into the shocking Halloween night killing of Peter Fabiano—a seemingly random murder at the hands of a masked woman. The narrative expertly unspools the bizarre, manipulative events leading up to the murder, weaving together suburban drama, obsession, and the dark side of human relationships. With dramatized storytelling and a focus on lesser-known cases, the episode captures the unsettling intersection between cozy neighborhood trust and sudden, violent betrayal—evoking both period nostalgia and persistent true crime unease.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Crime: Halloween, 1957 (02:47–06:55)

• Setting: Sun Valley, California, late Halloween night.
• Crime Scene: Goldeen Pizer sits in a car, awaiting the right moment. Disguised with a domino mask and red gloves, she rings Peter Fabiano’s doorbell, posing as a late trick-or-treater.
• Murder: When Peter answers with a bowl of candy, Goldeen draws a revolver from a paper bag and fatally shoots him.
• Quote:
  • “She fits the mask onto her face, covering the area around her eyes with the bright gloves she almost looks like a comic book superhero. But Goldeen Pizer isn't here to save anyone.” — Narrator (03:50)
• Impact: The quiet suburban street is shattered, as neighbors and police scramble to solve the shocking murder.

2. The Fabiano Family & Background (07:35–10:49)

• Peter’s Journey: From WWII marine to salon owner; ambitious, charismatic, and admired in his profession.
• Marriage to Betty: Professional and personal partnership with salon owner Betty Solomon; stepfather to her two teenagers.
• Rising Tensions: Peter’s friction with Betty’s close friend Joan Robble, culminating in a marital rift and Betty briefly leaving Peter to stay with Joan.
• Control & Independence: Peter’s insistence on exclusivity versus Betty’s assertion, “She’s not Peter’s to command. Joan’s her friend, and she won’t be told who she can or cannot spend time with.” — Narrator (11:17)

3. The Night of the Murder (13:41–17:47)

• Halloween Routine: Family disperses for work, parties, and trick-or-treating; reconvenes for a late dinner.
• Attack: After 11 PM, everything seems normal until the doorbell rings again. Peter answers, assuming a last trick-or-treater, and is shot.
• Immediate Aftermath: Betty’s frantic attempts to save her husband, neighbor (and LAPD officer) Bud Alper’s rapid response, and the fatal realization that Peter is beyond help.
• Police Puzzle: The killer leaves behind few clues. There’s no robbery, and only a fleeting sighting of a car making a hurried getaway.

4. Investigation and Suspicion (19:09–24:41)

• Initial Suspects: Joan Robble quickly comes under suspicion due to her public hatred of Peter and shaky alibi.
• Circumstantial Evidence: Joan’s borrowing of a friend’s car (with a mileage discrepancy matching the murder’s time and location), her criminal background, and rumors about possible jealousy or even a love triangle with Betty.
• Public Speculation: Tabloids and police alike wonder:
  • “Were Joan and Betty fighting over Peter? Or—much more scandalous for 1957—were the two women having an affair?” — Narrator (22:31)
• Quote:
  • “One theory investigators float to the press is that some kids were unhappy with whatever candy they got ... and came back for vengeance. That really ratchets up the stakes.” — Narrator & Jeremy Schwartz (21:00–21:16)

5. The Breakthrough: A Strange Confession (24:41–26:41)

• Anonymous Tip: A PI alerts police to the murder weapon’s whereabouts and provides a taped confession—not from Joan, but from Goldeen Pizer, a seemingly ordinary woman with no known connection to Peter.
• Multi-layered Conspiracy: Goldeen immediately confesses to shooting Peter but insists she was manipulated by Joan, who masterminded the plot and orchestrated every step.
• Staged Confrontation (26:41–30:12): Police publicly bring Joan and Goldeen together; Goldeen, eager to unburden herself, tells her side to reporters and the public.

6. Motive, Manipulation, and Execution (30:18–35:54)

• Joan’s Influence: Goldeen details how Joan painted Peter as a violent threat and a “drug dealer” (31:09), convincing Goldeen that murder was the only solution to protect Betty.
• “I'd do anything for a friend.” — Goldeen Pizer (32:03)
  Joan manipulates Goldeen into purchasing the gun, planning the attack for Halloween to mask their identities.
• Execution & Aftermath: After the murder, Joan coldly thanks Goldeen and instructs her to erase all evidence of their association: “They can never meet again.” — Narrator (34:54)
• Guilt and Exposure: Goldeen, wracked with guilt, confesses to a private investigator, leading to her arrest and the unraveling of the plot.

7. Justice & Lingering Mysteries (35:58–37:47)

• Legal Resolution: Both Joan and Goldeen plead guilty to second-degree murder, avoiding trial. Each receives a sentence of five years to life.
• Aftermath:
  • The fate of both women becomes unclear—Goldeen allegedly released in 1971, Joan essentially vanishes from public record.
  • “No one knows … It seems that Joan was a woman who could easily manipulate the people in her life. … Perhaps she used that talent to work on the parole board. Or maybe they saw right through her disguise and knew … it was all a trick.” — Narrator (37:29–37:49)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On the power of real-life horror:

  • “You know what's even scarier? Real life.” — Jeremy Schwartz (06:23)

• On Joan’s manipulation:

  • “Everyone fixates on Joan, calling her a Svengali figure who cast some kind of spell of control on Goldeen.” — Narrator (35:48)

• On the psychology of the crime:

  • “‘I’d never hurt anyone,’ she says, ‘but I’d do anything for a friend.’” — Goldeen Pizer, via Narrator (32:03)

Important Timestamps

• 02:47: The murder is set in motion—Halloween night, Goldeen’s vigil.
• 05:02: Peter is shot at his front door.
• 10:49: Background on Betty, Joan, and early tensions.
• 14:47: Details of the murder night and immediate aftermath.
• 19:09: Police investigation and community panic.
• 22:28: Media and police float theories; speculation about relationships/motives.
• 25:02: Goldeen Pizer emerges as the unexpected killer.
• 30:18: Goldeen’s confession and Joan’s manipulation described.
• 35:58–37:47: Legal resolution, the women's unknown fates, and legacy of the case.

Tone and Style

The episode maintains an atmospheric, suspenseful tone with a Halloween chill and 1950s Los Angeles noir flavor. While the story is dark and harrowing, the narrative is deeply respectful of the victim and the community trauma, focusing on the tragic manipulation and psychological complexity of the crime.

Speaker Attribution:

• Jeremy Schwartz (Host/Narrator, American Criminal) delivers a dramatic, immersive account.
• Goldeen Pizer’s and Joan Robble’s voices are reconstructed through police records and confessions, highlighting the subtleties of psychological manipulation.

Takeaways

• The “Trick or Treat Murder” stands as a cautionary tale about the dangers lurking beneath the surface of suburban life and the devastating impact of unchecked obsession and manipulation.
• Even in ordinary settings, crimes of passion and coercion can shatter notions of safety—underscoring that the true monsters are sometimes very human.
• The episode serves as an evocative opening to a Halloween-themed true crime series, blending meticulous research with engaging, dramatic storytelling.

For more haunting true crime stories, visit Crime and Coffee Couple or American Criminal podcasts.