Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode Summary – Bryan Miller

Original Air Date: November 23, 2025
Podcast Host: Oxygen

Episode Overview

This chilling episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder examines the decades-long investigation into the brutal murders of Angela Brasso and Melanie Bernas in the early 1990s, known as the "Canal Murders" in Phoenix, Arizona. Listeners are taken on a harrowing journey from initial shock and community terror to a breakthrough three decades later, as advances in DNA and forensic genealogy finally lead to the arrest and conviction of Bryan Patrick Miller, the so-called “Zombie Hunter.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The First Murder: Angela Brasso (November 1992)

• Discovery: Angela Brasso is reported missing after a sunset bike ride along the Arizona Canal. A bloody trail leads police to a headless body.
  • “Her head was missing and had been cut off.” (A, 01:11)
  • “This was brutal beyond brutality.” (B, 01:16)
• Crime Scene: Savage overkill, including sexual assault, attempted bisection, and deliberate mutilation.
  • “There was a deep incision that almost looked like a cross... It looked like the perpetrator tried to actually cut her in half, but was unsuccessful.” (A, 04:28)
  • “The stabbing was brutal in terms of the amount of force rendered onto her body with this blade.” (B, 04:54)
• Investigation Begins: Police immediately suspect someone close to Angela, focusing on her boyfriend, Joe Krakowiecki. Alibis and DNA samples clear him of suspicion.
  • “Joe was extremely cooperative, sincere... Joe's DNA sample was ruled out compared to the perpetrator sample, and he was ruled out.” (A, 13:36 & 15:16)

2. The Community’s Fear and Police Search

• Public Reaction: The brutality and random nature of the crime terrorizes Phoenix.
  • “There was just this sense of fear, as if everybody in Phoenix was petrified.” (D, 08:15)
• Key Evidence: Angela's unique, fluorescent purple Diamondback mountain bike goes missing, prompting a city-wide search.
  • “This was a very unique bike... it stood out.” (B, 15:42)

3. Second Murder: Melanie Bernas (September 1993)

• Discovery: Ten months later, another young woman is found dead in the canal, near where Angela’s head had been discarded.
  • “A cyclist called in another young woman who was found floating in the canal... It looked like a late teen victim.” (A, 21:14)
• Similarities: Both victims were attacked while cycling, stabbed, sexually assaulted, and had post-mortem mutilation, including a cross carving as a signature. In Melanie's case, she is dressed in a child's bodysuit that did not belong to her.
  • “There was a considerable pooling of blood along the bike path... There was also carvings in her body... including a cross.” (A, 21:51 & 22:46)

4. Dead Ends and DNA Limbo

• Forensic Stalemate: Early DNA technology cannot identify the perpetrator, though it links both cases.
  • “They knew they had somebody's DNA... But they couldn't make a match.” (D, 15:03)
  • “That was a major moment because finally, finally with science, we were able to link those cases.” (A, 27:55)

5. The Investigation Grows Cold

• Years Tick By: Despite extensive efforts, the Canal Killer’s identity eludes the police.
  • “As time marches on... these cases kind of faded as you went through the 90s.” (A, 26:49)
  • “The general theory was our perpetrator was either dead or he'd moved on.” (A, 28:22)

6. Forensic Genealogy Breakthrough (2014–2015)

• Cold Case Reopened: Detective Troy Hillman revisits the files thanks to a media inquiry. He brings in a genealogist.
  • “There were 800 to 1,000 names on this canal list. And at that point I knew I needed to assemble a team and give those girls justice.” (A, 29:16)
• Family Tree Points to Miller: Advanced DNA genealogy links forensic samples to the Miller family, particularly Bryan Patrick Miller.
  • “The family name that matches the DNA profile is Miller... When I came across Brian Patrick Miller, the hair on the back of my neck stood up.” (C/A, 32:26)
  • A missed 1994 tip about Miller possessing a bodysuit matching evidence resurfaces. (A, 32:36)

7. Miller’s Violent Past & Odd Persona

• Criminal History: Miller had stabbed women before as a juvenile (with evidence of premeditated sexual sadism), was acquitted in a 1990s attack in Washington, and never entered into national DNA databases.
  • “That letter was called the plan. And in this piece of paper, Brian had outlined step by step, what he wanted to do to a woman that included vicious sexual acts... ultimately killing her.” (D, 34:11)
• Zombie Hunter: Miller is known in the local cosplay and steampunk community for his “Zombie Hunter” persona—costumes, a tricked‑out car, attending events, posing with police.
  • “He had created this Persona, this character... the Zombie Hunter.” (D, 37:15)
  • “He's right there. He's taunting us.” (A, 38:12)

8. The Sting and Arrest

• Obtaining DNA: Detectives lure Miller out under the guise of a job interview, surreptitiously collecting his DNA from a drinking glass.
  • “We were wondering, did we get the DNA?... Two weeks later... ‘You did it. Brian Miller's your guy.’” (A, 39:46 & 39:53)
• Confrontation & Trial: Miller is arrested in 2015; DNA and his ex-wife’s testimony (describing violent sexual behavior with knives and blood-play) seal the case.
  • “He began to engage in violent role play that disturbed her...” (A, 41:22)
  • “She told us some troubling stuff about their sex life particularly. They would bring a knife and carve on her and lick the blood.” (A, 41:22)

9. Trial, Verdict, and Aftermath

• Insanity Defense: Miller’s attorneys argue he could not control his “evil twin” due to severe childhood abuse.

  • “In psychology, they say, you know, genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger.” (A, 42:24)

• Conviction and Sentence: Found guilty of both murders, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

  • “Brian was found guilty of count of murder each for each of the girls. Kidnapping and attempt sexual assault for both girls.” (A, 43:30)
  • He is sentenced to death.
  • “This was truly over the top evil. This is our version of Jack the Ripper.” (A, 43:49)

• Victims Remembered: The episode closes by highlighting the lives stolen and the importance of remembering Angela and Melanie.

  • “Angela and Melanie both had bright futures ahead of them... They were important people in our community that were taken far too soon. To me, he's an evil man, a monster.” (D, 44:30)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Her head was missing and had been cut off.” – (A, 01:11)
• “This was brutal beyond brutality.” – (B, 01:16)
• “There was just this sense of fear, as if everybody in Phoenix was petrified for what's going to happen next.” – (D, 08:15)
• “He had created this persona, this character that he played in public called the Zombie Hunter.” – (D, 37:15)
• “He's right there. He's taunting us. This was truly over the top evil.” – (A, 38:12)
• “We knew at that point that Melanie's killer and Angela's killer were one and the same. That was a major moment because finally, finally with science, we were able to link those cases.” – (A, 27:55)
• “Brian was found guilty of count of murder each for each of the girls... This was truly over the top evil. This is our version of Jack the Ripper.” – (A, 43:30 & 43:49)
• “Angela and Melanie both had bright futures ahead of them... To me, there's no excuse. I mean, to me, he's an evil man, a monster.” – (D, 44:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Introduction & Discovery of Angela Brasso – [01:02] to [05:24]
• Investigation of Joe Krakowiecki – [10:55] to [16:08]
• Discovery of Angela’s Head – [17:02] to [18:53]
• Second Murder: Melanie Bernas – [21:14] to [24:25]
• Cold Case Revival & DNA Genealogy – [27:17] to [32:26]
• Identifying and Profiling Bryan Miller – [32:36] to [38:28]
• Obtaining DNA and Arrest – [39:01] to [40:17]
• Trial and Sentencing – [41:22] to [45:07]

Tone & Delivery

Throughout, the episode maintains a somber, suspenseful, and analytical tone typical of the True Crime genre. Interviewees – including law enforcement, journalists, and those close to the victims – balance clinical detail with emotional resonance, never letting the audience forget the humanity at the center of the story.

Conclusion

This episode provides a gripping, in-depth look at one of Arizona’s most infamous serial killings. It underscores not only the horror inflicted upon the victims and their communities, but also law enforcement’s perseverance and the power of modern forensic science to bring long-awaited justice, even decades later.