The disappearance of aspiring actress Kristi Johnson shocked the entertainment world when she vanished after being lured to a fake audition by convicted predator Victor Paleologus. The 21-year-old actress fell victim to Paleologus’ ruse, leading to her tragic demise.
Victor Paleologus, a former restaurateur from Los Angeles, is currently serving time for Kristi Johnson’s murder at the California Institution for Men in Chino, San Bernardino County. Born on July 16, 1962, Paleologus has a history of violent crimes, including attempted rape.
Kristi’s remains were discovered by a group of hikers in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles on March 3, 2003. The young actress had been missing since February 15, 2003, after supposedly auditioning for a role in a James Bond film. It was later revealed that the audition was a hoax orchestrated by Paleologus to lure his victims.
The case of Kristi Johnson’s murder was revisited in Dateline NBC episodes and also covered in The Real Murders of Los Angeles. Paleologus pleaded guilty to her murder on July 26, 2006, and was sentenced to 25 years in prison with the possibility of parole. He waived his right to a parole hearing in August 2023, with his next hearing scheduled for November 2025.
Several women had reported similar incidents involving a man posing as a casting agent in the months leading up to Kristi’s disappearance.
It was Susan Murphy and her boyfriend who were able to identify Paleologus in a police lineup, leading to his arrest.
