Shivangi Sinha
In November 2021, Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola were left outside two separate hospitals by masked men in a car in Los Angeles, California. Christy died that night from a drug overdose, while Hilda passed away 11 days later from the same cause. Their deaths were officially ruled homicides. As authorities investigated, they traced the women’s final hours to the home of David Pearce, whom they had met at a party. Pearce and two of his friends were investigated in relation to the horrifying events that had followed. The CBS episode of ‘48 Hours’ titled ‘Christy and Hilda’s Last Dance’ delves into the details of Pearce’s involvement and the pursuit of justice.
David Pearce Partied With Two Women Who Later Died of Drug Overdose
David Brian Pearce was born on February 17, 1979, in Columbia, Washington, and harbored a strong passion for the film industry from a young age. At just 16 years old, he secured a small role in ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ Recognizing his desire to explore different facets of the entertainment world, he produced his first film, ‘Aida, I Saw Your Dad Last Night,’ in 2004. His career progressed as he became a series regular on ‘Young Americans.’ In 2006, he took on multiple roles as co-director, writer, and producer for the TV show ‘American Experience.’ Additionally, he contributed as an associate producer for the productions ‘The Valley of Tears’ and ‘Tooth and Nail.’
Pearce also appeared in a Warner Bros. TV show and later auditioned for UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. He was thrilled to be accepted into such a prestigious and competitive program and initially pursued an acting major. However, as his passion shifted towards directing, he decided to change his focus. He eventually launched his own small production company, Granite Rock Films, marking the start of his career behind the scenes. Settling in Los Angeles, California, he enjoyed the luxuries and privileges his profession and lifestyle afforded him. By 2021, he was living at 8641 West Olympic Boulevard in West Los Angeles and was seemingly thriving. On the morning of November 13, 2021, he crossed paths with Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola at a warehouse party in East Los Angeles.
That night, Pearce was accompanied by his two friends, actor Brandt Osborn and cinematographer Michael Ansbach. CCTV footage captured them entering Pearce’s house, and data from the women’s phones confirmed their presence there until the evening. Suspicion arose when Christy and Hilda were dropped off at different hospitals by three masked men who claimed to be good samaritans. Christy was declared dead upon arrival, while Hilda passed away eleven days later on November 24. Both women were found to have large amounts of drugs in their systems, leading authorities to rule their deaths as homicides.
David Pearce’s Arrest Prompted Many Women to Come Forward With Allegations of Assault
In December 2021, the police arrested David Pearce and his two friends in connection with the murders of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, though they were not charged with any crimes at that time. Pearce was held on a $1 million bail, and soon after, multiple allegations surfaced accusing him of being a serial sexual predator. Seven women came forward, claiming that he had sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2020, which led to formal charges. By July 2022, investigators believed they had gathered sufficient evidence to proceed with homicide charges. They discovered photos of Pearce partying with the two women in November 2021. Phone records further revealed that the women had attempted to call for a cab upon arriving at his house, but they never emerged. The driver eventually left after waiting for some time.
Prosecutors alleged that Pearce had given the women various drugs, including gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and fentanyl, before sexually assaulting them. They claimed that the women became unresponsive, and he took them out of his house after they had been there for eleven hours. He first dropped Christy off outside a hospital in Culver City, then returned to his home and later dropped Hilda at a West Los Angeles hospital about an hour and a half later. While he denied all accusations, prosecutors presented DNA evidence found under the women’s nails, which significantly strengthened their case.
David Pearce is Currently Awaiting His Sentence Hearing
David Pearce’s trial began in January 2025, with testimonies from multiple women helping the prosecution establish a pattern of predatory behavior. Cinematographer Michael Ansbach also testified against him, along with Pearce’s sister, Allison Pearce, who revealed some details about her brother’s personality. She claimed that he had been obsessed with the notorious Ron Jeremy and had even referred to him as his “dad” during a heated argument with their father. On February 4, 2025, he was found guilty on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of forcible rape, one count of sexual penetration by use of force, one count of sodomy by use of force, one count of rape of an unconscious woman, and one count of sexual penetration by a foreign object.
Pearce is facing a sentence of up to 148 years to life in the California State Prison and will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. While his official sentencing has not yet taken place, he is currently awaiting processing. It was scheduled for March 2025, but reports suggest that he has hired new lawyers and will be filing an appeal for a retrial. His anticipated lengthy incarceration has brought a sense of justice to many of his victims and their families and has offered them some closure.
Read More: Jan Cilliers: Where is Christy Giles’s Husband Now?
