Murder: True Crime Stories
Episode: SPECIAL: Halloween Murders 1
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Host: Carter Roy
Produced by: Crime House, powered by PAVE Studios
Introduction to Halloween Murders
In the premiere of the special two-part Halloween series, host Carter Roy delves into the macabre reality behind what is typically a night of fun and frights. Setting the stage, Roy warns listeners that the episode will uncover chilling true stories of murders that occurred on Halloween, revealing the true monsters behind the costumes and masks.
“Halloween is supposed to be spooky in a fun, kid friendly way... But I have to warn you, if you keep listening to our special two-part Halloween series, you might never look at Halloween the same way again.”
— Carter Roy [00:06]
Case 1: The 1957 Trick or Treat Murder of Peter Fabiano
Background and Relationship Dynamics
Peter Fabiano, a 34-year-old former U.S. Marine and bartender, married Betty Solomon in 1955. Betty, a divorced woman with two children, and Peter settled in the Sun Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles. Together, they opened beauty salons, which initially thrived but eventually strained their marriage. Marital discord led Betty to move out, an uncommon step during the 1950s, where typically the wife would stay with the children.
“Sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon and we don't always get to know the real ending.”
— Carter Roy [00:06]
The Murder Night
On Halloween night in 1957, after reconciling and planning their future, Peter and Betty were enjoying a peaceful evening when a stranger, disguised with a simple black mask, approached their home seeking candy. The interaction took a deadly turn when the stranger produced a revolver and shot Peter at point-blank range.
“It's a little late for this, isn't it?”
— Stranger [approx. 19:30]
Peter was swiftly killed, and the assailant escaped unnoticed. Betty, in shock, called for help, but Peter succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital.
Investigation and False Leads
Initially, suspicion fell on Joan Rabel, Betty's close friend and former co-worker. Joan's friendship with Betty had grown strained after Betty chose to reconcile with Peter and sever ties with Joan, leading to jealousy and resentment.
“Joan and Betty had grown very close. So close that Peter was enormously jealous of their relationship.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 12:00]
Despite Joan's denial and alibi, police remained unconvinced, leading to an anonymous tip that ultimately shifted the investigation away from Joan to Goldeen Pitzer, a widow manipulated by Joan to carry out the murder.
Joan Rabel’s Manipulation and Goldeen Pitzer’s Involvement
Joan, described as a controlling and manipulative individual, convinced Goldeen to murder Peter by portraying him as abusive and deceitful. Goldeen, lacking the maturity or malicious intent to commit murder on her own, was driven by Joan’s influence to execute the crime.
“Goldeen was convinced that she should kill Peter to free her from this abuser and stalker.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 20:00]
On Halloween, Goldeen donned a disguise similar to a trick-or-treater’s and fatally shot Peter. Their plan initially seemed foolproof, but an anonymous tip led authorities to Goldeen's possession of the murder weapon, exonerating Joan.
Legal Consequences and Aftermath
Both Joan and Goldeen faced legal repercussions. They ultimately accepted a plea deal to second-degree murder charges, avoiding the death penalty. While Goldeen was released and rebuilt her life, Joan’s fate remains ambiguous, with records suggesting she may have lived until 2012 under the same name.
“The specifics of Joan and Goldeen's sentencing have been lost to history... But Goldeen definitely got out and in time to rebuild her career.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 24:00]
Betty moved on, living a relatively private life until her death in 1999. The tragic murder of Peter Fabiano remains a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary lives.
Case 2: The 1974 Candyman Murder of Timothy O’Brien
Overview of the Incident
On Halloween night in 1974, Timothy O’Brien, an 8-year-old boy from Deer Park, Texas, was tragically poisoned by his own father, Ronald Clark O’Brien. Contrary to widespread fears, this case was not perpetrated by a stranger but by a trusted family member driven by financial desperation.
“Imagine losing a child to what seems like a harmless piece of candy.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 27:25]
Circumstances Leading to the Murder
Timothy enjoyed receiving Pixie Stix, a popular candy that unfortunately contained cyanide in his case. Ronald, facing severe financial difficulties, had purchased life insurance policies on his children just before Halloween, intending to benefit from their deaths.
Discovery and Investigation
Timothy’s sudden illness and subsequent death prompted an investigation that quickly uncovered Ronald’s suspicious behavior. Key evidence included:
- Life Insurance Motives: Ronald had inexplicably taken out additional life insurance policies on his children.
- Failed Alibi: His faulty alibi and discrepancies in his story raised red flags.
- Physical Evidence: Scissors with plastic residue suggested they were used to tamper with the candy.
“As Ronald Clark O'Brien became a suspect... by May 5, 1975, they had what they needed.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 22:00]
Trial and Execution
Cornered by mounting evidence and testimonies from family members revealing his financial deceit, Ronald was charged with Timothy’s murder and attempted murders of his other children. The jury convicted him swiftly, and despite multiple appeals, Ronald was executed by lethal injection on March 31, 1984.
“What sets Mind of a Serial Killer apart is its focus on the twisted psychology of the world's most notorious serial killers.”
— Ad read before transition [approx. 25:00]
Impact on Halloween Traditions
Timothy’s murder had a profound impact on Halloween practices, leading to the adoption of safer alternatives like trunk-or-treat events and increased parental vigilance regarding candy safety.
“Teaching children to run around in disguise at night and eat whatever their neighbors handed them no longer seemed like a good idea.”
— Carter Roy [approx. 26:22]
Conclusion and Reflection
Through these harrowing tales, Carter Roy emphasizes that the true horror of Halloween murders stems not from fictional monsters but from the real-life actions of seemingly ordinary individuals driven by darker motives. These stories serve as poignant reminders of the vulnerabilities that can exist even in the most festive settings.
“The most tragic thing about Timothy O'Brien's story is that it wasn't a stranger who killed him. It was the person who should have been protecting him.”
— Carter Roy [episode conclusion]
Looking Ahead
Listeners are invited to return for Part Two of the Halloween Murders special, where Roy promises to explore additional chilling cases, including a murder reminiscent of a well-known slasher movie and a teen’s brutal death during Mischief Night festivities.
Notable Quotes:
-
“I'm Carter Roy and this is Murder True Crime, a Crime House original.”
— Carter Roy [00:06] -
“This is the first of two special episodes covering real life murders that happened on Halloween night.”
— Carter Roy [00:06] -
“The most tragic thing about Timothy O'Brien's story is that it wasn't a stranger who killed him. It was the person who should have been protecting him.”
— Carter Roy [end]
Production Credits:
- Executive Producer: Max Cutler
- Producer/Director: Ron Shapiro
- Sound Design: Russell Nash
- Writer: Yelena War
- Editor: Alex Benadon
- Fact Checker: Claire Cronin
- Production Assistance: Sarah Carroll
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Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript of the episode "SPECIAL: Halloween Murders 1" from Murder: True Crime Stories. For the full, detailed narrative and immersive experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the original podcast episode.