Hollywood producer David Pearce has been sentenced to 146 Years for ‘twisted’ fentanyl murders and serial rapes: Here’s what to know
David Brian Pearce. Image Source: Instagram
In a landmark criminal judgement, Hollywood producer David Brian Pearce was sentenced to 146 years to life in prison for his role in the 2021 drug-related deaths of a model and her friend and for multiple sexual assaults over nearly two decades. The sentence comes after a February 2025 conviction in Los Angeles County for two counts of first-degree murder and numerous counts of rape and sexual assault.
Prosecutors say Pearce used a drug-facilitated sexual assault model, supplying victims with fentanyl and GHB, then abandoning at least two women outside hospitals where they later died. The verdict and sentence reflect both the severity of the crimes and a broader push by the District Attorney’s office to hold fentanyl-linked offenders accountable.
The Fatal Night: Model Christy Giles and Architect Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola
On November 13, 2021, Pearce met 24-year-old model Christy Giles and 26-year-old architect Hilda Marcela Cabrales‑Arzola at a warehouse party in East Los Angeles. The group then returned to Pearce’s Beverly Hills apartment, where prosecutors say he administered gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and fentanyl to the women and an associate.
According to court records, Pearce then drove them, unconscious, to separate hospitals, in a car with no license plates, a deliberate act noted by the prosecution. Giles arrived at the hospital already dead; Cabrales-Arzola survived for 11 days before being removed from life support and died soon after.
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Serial Sexual Assaults: Victims Span 2007-2021
Pearce’s criminal conduct did not begin with the 2021 fatalities. He was found guilty of sexual assault charges involving seven other women dating between 2007 and 2021, including counts of forcible rape, sexual penetration by force, and sodomy by use of force. One of the accusers was a deceased police officer, which added emotional weight in court.
The prosecution described a pattern: Pearce cultivated trust, often via a “Hollywood-producer” persona, then dropped dates into drug-induced states to facilitate assault. His attorney countered that the deaths were tragic accidents and that consent was involved in the alleged assaults, but the jury disagreed.
Conviction, Sentencing and Legal Fallout
On February 4, 2025, the jury found Pearce guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Giles and Cabrales-Arzola, and multiple sexual assault counts. On October 29, 2025, Judge Eleanor J. Hunter handed down a sentence of 146 years to life. The breakdown included maximum terms for each murder and added prison terms for each rape count.
Pearce’s co-defendant, Brandt Osborn, whose case was declared a mistrial earlier, is awaiting retrial on accessory charges connected to the disposal of the victims’ bodies. The case has drawn attention to how drug markets, especially fentanyl, intersect with violent sexual crimes. District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman called the conviction “long-awaited justice” for the victims.
Broader Implications: Fentanyl, Consent & Hollywood Facades
The Pearce case highlights the dangers of fentanyl-facilitated crimes and how perpetrators can exploit social scenes for predatory purposes. The toxicology reports revealed that Giles died of a fentanyl, GHB, ketamine and cocaine mix. One prosecutor said: “This case is a stark reminder of the devastation caused by fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others.”
It also raises questions about power dynamics and consent, particularly in contexts where drugs and social status influence vulnerabilities. Pearce’s self-styled image as a Hollywood producer gave him credibility and access. The verdict may send a message about accountability in nightlife and entertainment-adjacent circles.
FAQ – David Brian Pearce Case
Q: Who is David Brian Pearce?
A: David Brian Pearce is a Hollywood-adjacent producer who was convicted in February 2025 on two counts of first-degree murder and multiple sexual assault counts involving victims from 2007-2021.
Q: What crimes was he convicted of?
A: He was convicted for: the fentanyl- and GHB-related deaths of model Christy Giles and architect Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola in November 2021, plus three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration by force, one count of rape of an unconscious victim and one count of sodomy by force.
Q: What was his sentence?
A: On October 29, 2025, Pearce was sentenced to 146 years to life in prison.
Q: How did the 2021 deaths happen?
A: Prosecutors say Pearce met the two women at a party, supplied them with GHB and fentanyl at his Beverly Hills apartment, then left them unconscious and later transported them to separate hospitals. Giles was dead on arrival; Cabrales-Arzola died after 11 days on life support.
Q: Were there other victims?
A: Yes. Seven other women testified at trial that Pearce sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2021. One accuser was a police officer who later died in the line of duty.
Q: What is the status of his co-defendant Brandt Osborn?
A: Osborn’s charges were declared a mistrial due to jury deadlock; he faces a potential retrial as accessory after the fact in connection with the same case.
Q: What message did the sentencing send?
A: The verdict signals heightened accountability for fentanyl-linked abuse and crimes involving drug-facilitated sexual assault, particularly in social or entertainment contexts.