Going West: True Crime — Episode 594
Tim Moreau: The Starry Night Slaying
Aired: March 27, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the haunting 1990 disappearance and murder of Tim Moreau, a young, passionate music lover who worked at Portland’s infamous Starry Night Club. Hosts Daphne and Heath weave together the story of Tim’s life, his dream job turned deadly, and the infamously unscrupulous club owner, Larry “Scary Larry” Hurwitz. The case features themes of deception, corruption, and systemic injustice, culminating in ongoing grief for Tim’s family as his remains remain undiscovered.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Tim Moreau? (03:11)

• Tim, born May 3, 1968, in Baton Rouge, was a gifted student and violinist raised in New Orleans.
• Tim’s love for music was central—playing violin door-to-door, deeply engaged with New Orleans culture.
• He was accepted to five colleges, ultimately choosing Reed College in Portland, Oregon to study philosophy. However, he quickly became disillusioned with the program and the social environment.
  • “He, like, quickly became disenchanted with this field of study, along with his school and even his fellow peers.” — Daphne (05:11)
• Tim left Reed in 1988 to pursue a career in music business, partnering with Wade Benson to run club nights at a local restaurant, marking the start of his journey into Portland's music scene.

2. Landing the Dream Job at Starry Night (07:31)

• Tim was hired at Starry Night Club in March 1989, managed by Larry Hurwitz.
• Larry took Tim under his wing, and Tim was reportedly “on top of the world” (07:59), per his roommate Jason Lally.
• However, cracks appeared when Tim suspected Larry of running an illegal ticketing operation. Tim confided in his family about his discomfort and desire to confront Larry (08:49).

3. The Lead-up to Disappearance (09:27)

• At a John Lee Hooker show, 180 counterfeit tickets were found—some linked to Larry’s girlfriend’s club, Day for Night.
  • “She pointed right at Larry and said, I bought it from him at Day for Night.” — Heath (09:31)
• Larry quickly tried to pin the ticket scam on Tim, claiming he fled after an emotional confrontation.
• Tim’s car was found abandoned at Portland’s airport, prompting Larry to suggest Tim ran away to avoid the consequences of his supposed scam.

4. Initial Investigation and Red Herrings (14:10)

• Police couldn’t find evidence Tim left by plane; he “left virtually everything behind. That gives us quite a bit of concern.” — Detective Steve Baumgart (14:14)
• Suspicion of Larry grew, as Tim’s family and police doubted his account.
• Evidence (fake tickets and paper) was found in Tim’s apartment, but police considered the possibility of Larry planting it.

5. Tenacity of Tim’s Family (18:10)

• The family took 17 trips and spent over $65,000 searching for answers.
• “They can't just make it out there as often as they like…if you're not there and you're not within the circle, you can't really say exactly what was going on before Tim disappeared.” — Heath (19:08)

6. Media Pressure and Attacks on Larry (20:05)

• Reporter Jim Redden, suspicious of Larry from past dealings, published implicating articles.
  • “I knew Larry did it immediately.” — Jim Redden (20:17)
• Larry unsuccessfully sued Redden and his newspaper for libel. The IRS, investigating Larry's claims of financial damages, found he had failed to file taxes for 13 years and had undeclared roughly $450,000 in income. (21:38)

7. Mounting Suspicions and More Missing Persons (25:44)

• After losing his club and facing repeated scandals, Larry was linked (by rumor) to another disappearance: Dave Wilson, a former employee, disappeared after claiming to have heard that Larry and another man killed Tim. He later resurfaced, saying he’d been camping. (27:57)
• Investigators searched the Willamette River and Larry’s office for evidence, all unsuccessfully.

8. Larry’s Criminal History and Escalating Tactics (36:00)

• Larry had a history of violent and illegal behavior—plots to kidnap over a cocaine/theft dispute, impersonation, unlicensed liquor sales, and even accusations (unproven) of arson and terrorism.
  • “That’s what first came into Larry’s head: to kill him… Looking back, I can’t believe that we really did that. I don’t know what I was thinking.” — Evan Parrish (39:05)
• Friends nicknamed him “Scary Larry” (35:17).

9. The Break in the Case: Confession and Conviction (45:47)

• In 1998, Kathryn Hand tipped police to her ex, George Castagnola, who admitted to being an accomplice to Tim’s murder.
• The Crime as Told by George:
  • Larry asked George to be ready outside his office during his confrontation with Tim.
  • Larry strangled Tim with a garrote made of a broom handle and microphone wire as George restrained him. The garrote broke, prompting them to suffocate Tim with duct tape.
  • They buried Tim in a prepared grave in Washington State (46:37).
• “It just goes to show us that this whole thing was so premeditated.” — Heath (47:19)
• George took a plea deal, serving just eight years for his testimony and offer to locate Tim’s body (which was never found). Larry received a 12-year sentence but served only nine (52:00).

10. Ongoing Crimes and Injustice (52:42)

• Larry quickly reoffended post-release: arrested for cocaine trafficking in 2019 (4.4 kilos and $220k cash), violating parole, and most recently, in 2026, arrested for domestic violence against his wife—a woman alleged to have been coerced and exploited for her finances.
• “I don’t know how we can say plea deal more in this episode — it just seems like he’s just getting plea deals left and right!” — Heath (56:30)

11. Enduring Grief and Family Closure (57:17)

• Despite knowing Larry was responsible, Tim’s parents never recovered his body nor received the full settlement in their civil suit (expired 2021).
• “We’ve been out to the area where they say Tim is. It’s beautiful. Tim came to Portland because he loved the woods. I could accept it if he were to remain there.” — Penny Moreau (57:17)
• The episode closes with the family’s poignant resolve, even as justice remains partial and Tim’s body missing.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Tim’s Family’s Faith in Him (14:59):

  • “Literally. Not only would Tim not do any of this, but they made a really interesting point about their cars…”

• On Larry’s Shadiness (35:17):

  • “Actually, I think they did call him…Scary Larry.”

• Reporter Jim Redden’s Certainty (20:17):

  • “I knew Larry did it immediately. I’d reported on Larry on two previous stories…So when I got the call that Tim had disappeared, I knew instantly it was Larry.”

• Police Early Doubts (14:14):

  • “He left virtually everything behind. That gives us quite a bit of concern.” — Detective Steve Baumgart

• On Systemic Injustice (52:42):

  • “I mean, that’s extra bullshit because of the fact that…he’s such a repeat offender…”

• Poignant Reflection (57:17):

  • “Tim came to Portland because he loved the woods. I could accept it if he were to remain there.” — Penny Moreau

Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Personal Connection: 01:38–02:28
• Tim’s Childhood & Portland Move: 03:11–06:21
• College Struggles & Early Ventures: 06:21–07:31
• Starry Night Job & Counterfeit Discovery: 07:31–10:28
• Disappearance Timeline: 10:28–11:25
• Police & Family Investigation: 14:10–19:45
• Media Involvement, IRS, and Lawsuit: 20:05–22:22
• Starry Night Club’s Downfall: 23:27–25:37
• Rumors & Failures in Case: 25:44–28:29
• Larry’s Criminal Past: 35:17–41:10
• Arson Accusations & Leaving the Country: 41:57–44:38
• Break in the Case—Confession: 45:47–47:19
• Legal Proceedings & Aftermath: 49:52–52:42
• Recent Criminal Activity: 52:42–55:18
• Family Reflections & Closing Thoughts: 57:17–58:41

Memorable Moments

• The Lore of Starry Night: The episode touches on how the venue’s haunted history and true crime elements almost verge on urban legend (26:35).
• The sheer ineptitude of the justice system: Repeated examples of Larry dodging accountability, even as evidence and community suspicion mount.
• Family’s Unyielding Search: Their unending efforts convey the enduring pain and cost for loved ones of missing persons.

Final Reflections

Through captivating, conversational storytelling, Daphne and Heath bring to light the tragic story of Tim Moreau, exposing not just the personal devastation wrought by a single criminal, but also the broader failings of the system in delivering justice and closure. The episode highlights the value of community, journalism, and persistent advocacy in keeping cold cases like Tim’s alive—and honors the resilience of those left behind.

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