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The disappearance of Kristi Johnson in 2003 from the Westfield Century City Mall in Los Angeles led to an extensive investigation. Johnson had been looking for a break in Hollywood when she was approached for the role of the Bond Girl in the upcoming movie.
According to the Los Angeles Times, hikers found Kristi Johnson's body in a ravine in Hollywood Hills. Due to the body being exposed to weather conditions, there was no DNA evidence at the crime scene. Johnson's body was discovered with her hands and ankles bound together and stuffed inside a sleeping bag.
The Dateline NBC episode The Girl with the Hibiscus Tattoo showcases Johnson's brutal murder and airs on May 31, 2024, at 9 p.m. EST on NBC exclusively.
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What happened to Kristi Johnson? Details explored
The 21-year-old Kristine Louise Johnson had moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of working in films and entertainment. While working at a cell phone company, Kristi actively sought opportunities that could lead her to production sets in Hollywood.
On February 15, 2003, Johnson visited the Westfield Century City Mall, where she was approached by a man claiming to be an influential film producer. He offered her an audition for the role of the Bond girl in a 007 movie, promising a six-figure payout, as reported by Oxygen.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office retired prosecutor, Ronald E. Bowers,
"She was told if she had a white blouse, black miniskirt, nylons and stiletto heels, that would really impress."
Johnson purchased the required clothing items and was lured to the producer's vacant Hollywood Hills home.
On March 3, 2003, a group of hikers found human remains in a ravine in Hollywood Hills. The female body's hands and ankles were tied up and stuck into a sleeping bag. The upper part of the body had decomposed due to exposure to the rainy weather conditions in Los Angeles, as reported by Oxygen.
The body was identified as that of Kristi Johnson by the hibiscus tattoo on her back. She had been strangled to death, according to the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, there was blunt force trauma to her skull. However, the coroner's office was unable to determine s*xual assault due to the advanced stage of decomposition.
Who killed Kristi Johnson? Details explored
A tip line was set up for the disappearance of Kristi Johnson, which led to multiple women offering help and information about a similar trap set for them, per the Daily Mail. The composite sketch was prepared with the help of another woman who was approached by the same man.
According to Oxygen, the Santa Monica Police Department received information from a parole officer, who identified the man as Victor Paleologus. Paleologus had served three years and five months on charges of assault to commit r*pe and had been out on parole. He was charged with first-degree murder in the case. In 2006, he received a life sentence of 25 years.
Robert Almada, a sergeant with the Santa Monica Police Department during Kristi's murder, mentioned to Oxygen,
"At least 13 women came forward whom he had either completed or attempted assaults upon."
According to NBC News, Victor Paleologus approached his victims under different aliases, such as Victor Thomas, John Maroni, and Brian.
Catch all the details of Kristi Johnson's murder on the upcoming Dateline episode.
