Two of the three men involved in a 1995 murder that fueled the nationwide “satanic panic” have been granted parole.
Royce Casey and Jacob Delashmutt, both 47, were released from California prisons just weeks apart after serving 28 years for the killing of 15-year-old Elyse Pahler.
They, along with their friend Joseph Fiorella, carried out the murder after convincing themselves they needed to “sacrifice a virgin to the devil” in what they described as a satanic ritual. The three teens, who had formed a death metal band, believed the act would make them better musicians.
According to court records, the group had talked for months about killing Pahler, but the attack itself happened suddenly. On June 22, 1995, Casey ran into Delashmutt and Fiorella, who told him they planned to kill her that night. Pahler, thinking she was meeting friends to hang out, snuck out of her home and joined them.
They walked to a eucalyptus grove, where Delashmutt pretended to take a bathroom break, then used his belt to strangle Pahler. Casey held her arms down as Fiorella pulled out a large hunting knife and stabbed her several times. Fiorella then passed the knife to Delashmutt, who stabbed her again, before handing it to Casey, who admitted to stabbing her four times.
Casey said Pahler was still alive and moaning when he stomped on the back of her neck. He denied reports that the group sexually assaulted her, saying instead that they dragged her body to a remote spot, placed her face down, covered her with leaves, and left.
For months, police searched for Pahler, believing she had run away. The case broke open only after Casey confessed to a clergyman eight months later and led authorities to her body, buried about 1,000 feet from her home.
All three teens were arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping. Prosecutors at the time said the boys admitted they killed Pahler to gain power from the devil and become better musicians.
Fiorella took a plea deal and was sentenced to 26 years to life. Casey and Delashmutt entered no contest pleas and each received 25 years to life.
Both Casey and Delashmutt were first granted parole in 2023, but Governor Gavin Newsom blocked their release. This year, parole was granted again. Pahler’s father supported Casey’s release after Casey gave a full account of the crime in 2021. Casey’s parole conditions forbid him from contacting the Pahler family or returning to San Luis Obispo County.
The family did not support Delashmutt’s release, seeing him as the ringleader of the attack.
Fiorella, the youngest of the three at the time of the murder, will be eligible for parole in June.
The shocking details of the crime later inspired Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in creating the 2009 cult film Jennifer’s Body.
