From 1989 to 2003, Victor Paleologus, a man who claimed to be well-connected in Southern California’s entertainment industry, lured nine women into frightening situations, with some reporting being choked or tied up, and four accusing him of attempted rape. Paleologus pleaded guilty to lesser charges in two cases and was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape in a third. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to the murder of Kristi Johnson, 21, and was sentenced to 25 years to life. Five women who survived encounters with Paleologus testified at his murder trial, and he continued to maintain his innocence despite his guilty pleas and convictions.
As Paleologus spent years in prison, Cathy DeBuono, a woman who had crossed paths with him, began to fear the possibility of his eventual parole and launched an effort to determine if Paleologus had changed. This endeavor provided important details about Johnson’s murder and helped survivors and Johnson’s family prepare for Paleologus’s parole board appearance scheduled for the following year, where they would argue against his release. Despite pleading for reduced charges, Paleologus persisted in denying his actions, claiming he had never forced himself on anyone or pretended to be an entertainment figure.
Prior to Johnson’s murder, Paleologus had a history of predatory behavior, including incidents in 1989, 1996, and 1998 where he attempted to rape or assault women by posing as an entertainment executive and coercing them into dangerous situations. Witnesses testified to his violent tendencies during these encounters, which led to criminal charges and multiple guilty pleas or convictions. Paleologus’ manipulation tactics and disarming demeanor often fooled his victims into dangerous situations, where they narrowly escaped his violent intentions.
DeBuono, who had a previous encounter with Paleologus, learned of his connection to Johnson’s murder in 2003 and immediately contacted authorities to share her own experience. She later testified at the murder trial, as did other women who had interacted with Paleologus. The women’s testimonies were crucial in the case, as there was no direct evidence linking Paleologus to the murder. Despite his continued claims of innocence, Paleologus ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, although he attempted to retract his plea afterwards.
In 2013, DeBuono embarked on an ambitious project to create a documentary about Paleologus’ crimes, interviewing other women who had encountered him and investigating the possibility of unreported victims. Through her efforts, DeBuono discovered a potential link to a cold case in Pennsylvania involving the remains of a pregnant woman found behind a distillery, believed to be related to Paleologus due to similar circumstances. As Paleologus became eligible for parole, DeBuono, along with other survivors and Johnson’s family, prepared to argue against his release at his upcoming hearing. However, Paleologus voluntarily waived the hearing and is now scheduled to appear before the parole board in November 2025.
DeBuono’s interactions with Paleologus in prison, where she collected his DNA and obtained a confession regarding Johnson’s murder, provided critical evidence and insight into his continued dangerous tendencies. The efforts of DeBuono and others to prevent Paleologus’s release demonstrate a commitment to seeking justice for his victims and ensuring that he remains behind bars. As the parole hearing approaches, the survivors and Johnson’s family stand united in their fight against Paleologus’s potential release, determined to keep him incarcerated for his crimes.
