Two men convicted of murdering their 15-year-old friend in a ‘satanic ritual’ back in 1995 have been released from prison after serving 28 years behind bars. Royce Casey and Jacob Delashmutt, both now 47 years old, were granted parole in California, where they were sentenced to 25 years to life for the brutal murder of Elyse Pahler. The trio, including their accomplice Joseph Fiorella, carried out the heinous act as part of a twisted belief in sacrificing a virgin to the devil to enhance their music abilities, as revealed in a habeas corpus petition obtained by PEOPLE.
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The group, who were members of a death metal band, had allegedly planned the murder of Pahler for months before finally executing their plan on a whim one fateful evening in 1995. The petition filed by Casey detailed the horrific events of that night, where they lured Pahler into a secluded grove under false pretenses. Delashmutt then proceeded to strangle Pahler while Fiorella stabbed her multiple times, with each of the men taking turns to inflict fatal wounds on the young girl. The men then concealed her body in a shallow grave near her home and attempted to cover up their crime.
Months went by until Casey eventually confessed to a clergyman about the murder, leading to the discovery of Pahler’s mummified body and the subsequent arrest of all three men. The case shocked the nation and became a focal point in the ‘satanic panic’ of the 1990s. The trio’s motive, driven by their belief that the devil would reward them with musical prowess, stirred public outrage and disbelief.
In 1997, the men were convicted and sentenced, with Fiorella accepting a plea deal and Casey and Delashmutt receiving 25 years to life in prison. Despite being granted parole in 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom overturned the decisions for both Casey and Delashmutt. However, Casey’s parole was eventually approved after he shared a detailed account of the crime and expressed remorse for his actions, a move supported by Pahler’s father. Delashmutt’s release, on the other hand, was met with opposition from the Pahler family, who viewed him as the mastermind behind the murder.
The repercussions of this chilling crime extended beyond the confines of the courtroom, inspiring works of art such as the 2009 film ‘Jennifer’s Body’ penned by Diablo Cody. The macabre tale of misguided youth, satanic obsession, and brutal violence serves as a cautionary reminder of the darkest depths that human depravity can reach. As the two perpetrators re-enter society, the scars of their actions continue to haunt the memory of Elyse Pahler and the community that was forever altered by their senseless act of evil.