David Pearce convicted for murder and rape. Family seeks justice for Hilda Cabrales-Arzola and Christy Giles.
David Pearce was a Hollywood producer, convicted of murder for the deaths due to fentanyl overdoses in November 2021. Pearce was also convicted of rape for assaulting seven other women, spanning from 2007 to 2021.
The seven women testified at the trial and bravely described Pearce’s violent acts; Hilda’s family thanks these women. Pearce may spend 148 years in prison. Hilda’s sister, Fernanda, was moved by the women’s courage.
Fernanda said they spoke for Hilda and Christy, and she is very grateful to them. She thinks their stories helped the case. Although Fernanda had some doubts about the verdict, she is happy the jury saw Pearce’s true nature.
Hilda’s mother is also relieved. The verdict clears her daughter’s name. People now know Hilda was drugged and did not die from her own drug use. The pain of her loss will never leave.
Prosecutors said Pearce gave the women drugs, but the defense argued the women caused their own deaths. This angered Hilda’s family. Her mom saw harsh comments online where people blamed the women for partying.
Hilda’s mom said her daughter loved life and was achieving her goals. The family is upset about Brandt Osborn, Pearce’s housemate, as people saw him helping Pearce. He took the women to hospitals but did not call 911.
The jury could not agree on Osborn’s guilt, and he faces a new pretrial hearing. Fernanda says Osborn’s case keeps the nightmare alive. They believe Osborn let Hilda die and that he wanted to silence her.
Giles and Cabrales-Arzola went to a party, and later to Pearce’s apartment. They felt unsafe and ordered a ride. The ride arrived, but they never got in. Giles died outside a hospital. Cabrales-Arzola was found at another.
Cabrales-Arzola was brain dead and died before her 27th birthday. Toxicology reports found many drugs. Giles had cocaine, fentanyl and GHB, and she also had ketamine in her system. Cabrales-Arzola had organ failure and drug intoxication.
Hilda’s mom remembers getting the call late at night when she learned her daughter was very sick. Her world fell apart. Doctors said Hilda would not recover. However, the family never wanted to remove life support.
They wanted to bring Hilda to Mexico, but doctors said it was too difficult. The family wanted to donate her organs but learned this was not possible. They received little explanation as to why.
Hilda’s mom last spoke to her daughter like normal. Police had to figure out what happened. Pearce and his friends did not call for help, which could have saved the women. The family will never forget that.
The women trusted the wrong people. They went with Pearce and Osborn, and it was a mistake to get in their car. “Tell your friends where you are. Listen to your inner voice,” her mom pleads. “Christy tried to call a ride. Listen when something feels wrong.”