The Sinister Napa Valley Halloween Killer

On Halloween night 2004, three 26-year-old roommates in Napa Valley, California, decided to stay in and hand out candy. The evening was quiet and fun. By 2 a.m., one of them was on the phone with 911, saying her roommates were dying. Two of the women, Leslie Mazzara and Adrian Insagna, had been stabbed to death in their own home. The third roommate, Lauren Minza, had fled into the backyard with her dog and survived. There were no signs of robbery or sexual assault. The community was stunned—Napa hadn’t seen a murder in over two years. And for nearly a year, police had no idea who did it.

The victims and the surviving roommate

Leslie Mazzara had moved to Napa from South Carolina six months earlier, after ending a long-term relationship and seeking a fresh start. She worked at a winery, was promoted three times in a few months, and was passionate about children’s advocacy charities. Adrian Insagna was an engineer, a former Girl Scout who volunteered as a troop leader, and had a wide circle of friends. The two met through a volleyball league and became close. Lauren Minza, the third roommate, was more reserved and had only recently moved to the area. The three women got along well, with no drama between them.