In a shocking turn of events, Victor Paleologus, a once self-proclaimed entertainment industry figure, is set to appear before California's parole board next year. The 61-year-old has been serving a 25-year to life sentence for the murder of Kristi Johnson, but a recent investigation conducted by one of his previous acquaintances might shed new light on his crimes.

Paleologus, posing as Brian, a producer from Radio Disney, crossed paths with Cathy DeBuono, a clinical psychologist and former actor, a few years prior to Johnson's tragic death. DeBuono first encountered him at a Beverly Hills mall, where he enticed her with promises of an appearance on a James Bond poster and a substantial payment. However, DeBuono's intuition kicked in when he discouraged her from involving an agent, raising red flags about his legitimacy.

Unbeknownst to DeBuono at the time, Paleologus had been on a disturbing spree of luring women into terrifying situations since 1989. Nine women in total came forward, recounting horrific experiences. Some were subjected to choking, others were tied up, and four claimed he attempted to rape them.

Despite Paleologus's claims of innocence, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges in two of the cases and was convicted of assault with intent to commit rape in a third. It was in 2006 that he finally pleaded guilty to the murder of 21-year-old Kristi Johnson, a case that shocked Southern California.

Cathy DeBuono, determined to ensure that Paleologus never had the chance to harm anyone else, embarked on a tireless effort to uncover the truth about his character. Her investigation, which has recently come to light, not only brought forth crucial details about Johnson's murder but also provided additional evidence and testimony from survivors who had encountered Paleologus's dark side.

Prosecutors had previously described Paleologus's crime spree as a decade-plus of continuous predatory behavior. Christine Kludjian, one of the survivors, vividly described her harrowing encounter with Paleologus. After he identified himself as an executive with Columbia Records and invited her to a "Hollywood party," he attempted to sexually assault her in a hotel room. Kludjian valiantly fought back, biting him in the crotch to escape his grip.

In another instance, Paleologus broke into a woman's home, supposedly an ex-girlfriend, armed with a ligature. The woman managed to fend him off with pepper spray, after which he fled. However, Paleologus was eventually apprehended three weeks later, after a standoff with authorities. He pleaded guilty to burglary charges and was granted probation.

Despite mounting evidence against him, Paleologus maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. A jury foreman who had previously acquitted him on the most serious charges confessed that Paleologus didn't fit the public's perception of a rapist. However, Christine Kludjian, who narrowly escaped his clutches, cautioned that he would continue his predatory behavior and potentially escalate to murder.

Cathy DeBuono's remarkable efforts to expose Paleologus's true nature have provided a glimmer of hope for survivors and the family of Kristi Johnson. They now have an opportunity to speak out against his possible release during his upcoming parole hearing next year.

As the date approaches, the question remains: Will Victor Paleologus's manipulative facade crumble under the weight of new evidence and survivor testimonies, or will he manage to persuade the parole board of his supposed transformation?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the survivors and families affected by Paleologus's actions are prepared to fight for justice and ensure that no one else falls prey to his deceitful tactics.