Criminology Podcast: The Livingston County Murders

Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Morford
Date: February 1, 2026
Episode: #395

Overview

This episode explores a chilling sequence of unsolved and partially solved murders in Livingston County, Michigan, spanning the early 1980s. Ferguson and Morford analyze three cases—Ann Marie Doragazi (1981), Kimberly Louiselle (1982), and Christina Castiglione (1983)—discussing the investigation, suspects, breakthroughs in forensic DNA, and community impact. The episode culminates with the identification of serial killer Charles David Shaw through genealogical DNA, while one case remains an open mystery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene—Livingston County, Michigan

• Background:
  Livingston County, normally a very safe and affluent area, experienced a spike in fear after a series of brutal murders started in 1981 ([03:09]).

2. The Murders

A) Ann Marie Doragazi (1981)

• Discovery:
  • Ann Marie, age 20, was found partially clothed in a ditch near Camp Dearborn in Milford on September 29, 1981 ([03:41]).
  • Her body was dry despite heavy rain—implying placement after the rain ([05:16]).
  • No robbery or sexual assault evident ([04:19]).
• Police Commentary:
  • Sgt. Ed Pilch called the scene "very odd" ([05:16]).
  • Det. Bill Peterson: The killer wanted her found, given the prominent, visible location ([08:14]).
• Case Status:
  • No suspects emerged; the case grew cold. Residents were on edge, fearing a serial killer ([02:32], [08:14]).

Notable Quote:

"If he had wanted to dispose of the body, he would have chosen certainly a different place. The body was clearly in view from the road."
— Sgt. Ed Pilch ([08:14])

B) Kimberly Louiselle (1982)

• Circumstances:
  • Kimberly, 16, last seen hitchhiking home from her boyfriend's house on March 20, 1982 ([09:00]).
  • Boyfriend’s brother, sensing the driver was "a bit weird," memorized the license plate, showing early vigilance ([10:15]).
• Last Known Movements:
  • Dropped at 8 Mile and Merriman, used payphone for a ride, last seen around 6:30pm ([12:43]).
• Body Discovered:
  • Found nude and beaten on April 14, 1982, in Island Lake Recreation Area ([13:30]).
  • Sexual assault and strangulation established as cause of death.
• Investigation:
  • Explosives unrelated to the case were uncovered near the scene ([14:04]).
  • Police speculated killer was local, due to knowledge of secluded dump site ([16:08]).

Notable Quote:

"It does make it seem as though this is most likely someone local to the area who knew about the park and ride, knew about the hole in the fence..."
— Mike Morford ([17:50])

C) Christina Castiglione (1983)

• Situation:
  • 19-year-old Christina last seen walking after losing driving privileges ([20:40]).
  • Spotted by her boyfriend's group, disappeared within minutes ([21:28]).
• Body Found:
  • Discovered partially clothed, sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled behind a park and ride ([21:28]).
  • Crime scene DNA was preserved despite being pre-DNA era ([22:34]).
• Suspects:
  • Ron Lotilla, who found her body, was initially eyed due to odd behavior but later ruled out via DNA ([22:34], [28:48]).

Notable Quote:

"Sometimes someone will lie about something like that, not because they're the killer, but because maybe they're doing something else shady..."
— Mike Ferguson ([24:21])

3. Parallels & Patterns

• All three victims: young women, seen hitchhiking or walking, found in remote or secluded areas ([18:30], [27:02]).
• Strangulation as consistent M.O.; sexual assault in two of three cases.
• The possibility of a local perpetrator given familiarity with remote sites ([16:08]).

4. Breakthrough via DNA & Genealogy

Investigation Progress

• Evidence from the early 1980s was well-preserved ([27:59]).

• In early 2000s, DNA from Christina’s case entered CODIS—no hits, but eliminated suspects ([27:59]).

• In 2022, a grant allowed for advanced testing by Othram, Inc. ([28:48]).

• Genealogical research led investigators to Charles David Shaw ([30:02]).

  • Confirmed via cooperation from Shaw’s brother and son.

• Result:

  • Shaw linked definitively to the murders of Christina Castiglione and Kimberly Louiselle ([31:02]).

Notable Quotes:

"...the work that was done back in 1983 to preserve the evidence, to process the scene was an outstanding effort by everybody that was at the scene."
— Sheriff Mike Murphy ([27:59])

Shaw’s Profile & Death

• Died in November 1983 at age 27, found hanging in a closet in women's clothing; listed as accidental sexual asphyxiation ([31:02]).
• Had previously served only two weeks in jail for attempted abduction ([33:54]).

Notable Quotes:

"There's no telling how many victims there would have been if he hadn't accidentally strangled himself to death. So I'm getting a little bit of some BTK vibes there..."
— Mike Morford ([31:02])

"His criminal record includes an eerie incident. He was arrested for trying to abduct a young woman in the parking lot of a McDonald's...only two weeks in jail."
— Mike Morford ([33:54])

5. Unresolved Case: Ann Marie Doragazi

• Police claim a strong suspect is in view—believe Ann Marie knew her killer ([44:56]).
• Retired detective Sgt. Ed Pilch: “In my opinion, this case is not a whodunit… we know who is likely responsible...” ([44:56]).
• No link found between Ann Marie and Shaw; differences in M.O. (no sexual assault, no robbery) ([47:35]).
• The case remains open (as of episode airing).

6. Broader Connections & Theories

• More Victims?
  • Discussion of possible links to other disappearances, such as Kelly Brownlee, but no hard evidence ([41:35]).
• Community Impact:
  • The community shifted from vigilance to paranoia during the case windows ([26:30]).
• Police Reflections:
  • Technology and teamwork praised in eventual break ([27:59]).

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• [05:16] Sgt. Ed Pilch: "It didn't seem right...If police were right, it means that she had to have been held in some other location for a time before her killer moved her body to the spot where it was found."
• [12:36] Mike Ferguson: "Good for him [the brother] for doing that, because he took that extra step to say, hey, you know, just in case, I'm going to remember this."
• [31:02] Mike Morford: "There's no telling how many victims there would have been if he hadn't accidentally strangled himself to death. So I'm getting a little bit of some BTK vibes there with the wearing of women's clothing, the asphyxiating, you know, yourself."
• [33:54] Mike Morford: "His criminal record includes an eerie incident. He was arrested for trying to abduct a young woman in the parking lot of a McDonald's in Fowlerville, Michigan...He served about two weeks in jail before he was released on probation."
• [44:56] Sgt. Ed Pilch (referencing Doragazi case): "In my opinion, this case is not a whodunit. In fact, he said that within a few minutes of reading the material, we knew it could be solved. We know who is likely responsible and we have been working to establish enough evidence to proceed."

Important Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:41]: Introduction of Ann Marie Doragazi case
• [09:00]: Introduction of Kimberly Louiselle case
• [12:43]: Kimberly's last seen, payphone, disappearance details
• [13:30]: Discovery of Kimberly’s body
• [20:40]: Introduction of Christina Castiglione case
• [22:34]: Discussion about DNA evidence and Ron Lotilla
• [28:48]: 2022 cold case team and genealogical DNA effort
• [31:02]: Revelation of Charles David Shaw as the killer
• [44:56]: Police commentary on Ann Marie Doragazi suspect

Tone & Language

The hosts maintain a conversational, analytical, and empathetic tone—balancing factual recounting with personal reflections and the emotional weight of the cases. Occasional dark humor surfaces, particularly around the perceived strangeness or incompetence in law enforcement decisions from the 1980s, but always with an underlying sensitivity to victims and families.

Final Reflections

• Ann Marie Doragazi’s case remains unsolved but highly suspect-focused.
• Kimberly Louiselle and Christina Castiglione were both conclusively linked to Charles David Shaw, a local man who died before facing justice.
• The importance of evidence preservation and modern genetic genealogy is highlighted as a turning point in cold case investigations.
• The episode closes with a call for anyone with further information to contact authorities.

For Further Information:

• Milford Police Detective Bureau: 248-684-1815