Episode 92: Scripted for Murder: Sam Herr and Julie Kibuishi

Costa Mesa in 2010 was a city in Southern California with a population of around 110,000 with a reputation for being diverse and ever evolving. Sam Herr, a war veteran and Julie Kibuishi, an aspiring fashion stylist were attending Orange Coast College. The two became close, platonic friends rather quickly. Sam, a loyal goof ball to his friends and Julie, vivacious, smart and dependable. When their parents couldn’t reach either of them one day in May 2010, they all became severely worried. Steven, Sam’s father made a horrific discovery at his son’s apartment – Julie had been murdered. But Sam was no where to be found. The crime didn’t make sense to any one who knew Sam. After days of searching, evidence led them to one of his neighbor’s an aspiring actor. When questioned, it seemed to be more of a performance by the neighbor rather than an interrogation. After 14 hours, detectives finally coaxed the truth out of this neighbor. Tune in to hear of Julie and Sam, and how their lives came to end so senselessly.

  Sources:  

“This community theater actor's final performance was a chilling confession to double murder” by ABC News on ABC News on May 29, 2019 (https://abcnews.go.com/US/community-theater-actors-final-performance-chilling-confession-double/story?id=63181588)

“Clues and evidence in the murders of Julie Kibuishi and Sam Herr” by 48 Hours on CBS News on September 15, 2018 (https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/clues-and-evidence-in-the-murders-of-julie-kibuishi-and-sam-herr/)

“Actress convicted of lying to police about ex-fiance's double murder pleads innocence in interrogation tapes” by Lauren Effron, Joseph Diaz and Denise Martinez-Ramundo on ABC News on May 30, 2019 (https://abcnews.go.com/US/actress-convicted-lying-police-fiances-double-murder-pleads/story?id=63234575)

“Psychopath” Actor Kills and Frames Neighbor for Murder: "A Level of Inhumanity" by Caitlin Schunn on Oxygen True Crime on December 29, 2024 (https://www.oxygen.com/a-plan-to-kill/crime-news/daniel-wozniak-kills-sam-herr-julie-kibuishi-for-money)  

“Ex-Disney Princess Lied to Police Hoping to Help Actor Fiancé Get Away with Double-Murder” by Christine Pelisek on PEOPLE on September 13, 2018 (https://people.com/crime/daniel-wozniak-fiancee-convicted-lied-police-double-murder/)  

“Jurors hear argument for death penalty in Daniel Wozniak case” by ABC Eye Witness News on ABC News on January 7, 2016 (https://abc7.com/post/jurors-hear-argument-for-death-penalty-in-daniel-wozniak-case/1150844/)

“Wozniak Sentenced to Death for Double Murder” by Rex Dalton on Voice of OC on September 23, 2016 (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/juri-kibuishi/)

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195085267/juri-kibuishi

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82035814/samuel_eliezer-herr

“Curtain Call” on The Perfect Murder, Season 3, Episode 13 on Discovery+