Three's a Crowd: The Cold Blooded Halloween Murder of Peter Fabiano
The shocking 1957 cold blooded murder of Peter Fabiano seemed like a senseless act of random violence, until investigators began to look into his wife's associates
Murder of Peter Fabiano
On Halloween 1957, Peter Fabiano and his wife Betty were winding down their night at their Los Angeles home around 11 p.m. before heading to bed after a night of welcoming trick-or-treaters.
When the doorbell rang for a final time that night, Peter hesitantly opened the door, expecting to see some late-night trick-or-treaters. "It's a little late for this, isn't it?" Peter said as he stood in the doorway.
"No," came the response from a dark figure obscured by a mask and pointing a firearm in Peter’s direction.
Without another word, the figure fired a shot into Peter Fabiano's chest, turned, and escaped from the scene, leaving Peter mortally wounded on his front porch.
Betty hurried to her husband's side and attempted to provide aid, but it was too late; Peter was gone. The medical examiner said later that Peter died almost instantly. Betty was left on the porch waiting for authorities to arrive and wondering why anyone would harm Peter.
A gentle and well-regarded individual in their community. The sudden death not only left Betty in disbelief but also sent shockwaves through the entire neighborhood that had been joyfully celebrating Halloween just hours earlier.
Following the incident, questions arose about whether Peter was a victim of random violence, or if he was intentionally targeted.
Investigation
The initial investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department yielded no suspects or leads. Friends and neighbors were left baffled by the murder. They floated theories ranging from a Halloween prank gone awry to a failed robbery attempt.
As investigators pieced together the incident, clues began to emerge that led authorities to conclude that Peter Fabiano’s murder was a targeted attack, and not a case of random violence.
As with most investigations of this manner, detectives tend to first focus on the victim’s family members. The goal of the investigator is to learn as much as they can about the victim, and that starts with interviewing the closest members of the family.
Authorities learn about family dynamics and potential problems. For example, money or marital problems can often be a motivation. After conducting an investigation of Betty and Peter's closest family members, detectives could find no obvious motive.
Suspect Emerges
Authorities then cast a wider net and focused their investigation on Peter’s current and past friends and work associates. A pivotal moment came when they spoke with Joan Rabel, a photographer who had previously had a friendship with Peter’s wife Betty Fabiano.
Joan's relationship with the Fabiano family initially raised no suspicions among the investigators; however, something didn't feel right, and with a little urging from Betty, detectives dug a bit further into Joan's history. It was during this exploration of Joan's life that a complex web of envy and deceit started to unravel before them.
The breakthrough in the investigation came when investigators linked Joan to Goldyne Pizer, a reserved woman of similar age who had never been involved in any criminal activity.
Pizer was known to lead a life of loneliness and isolation; however, investigators were shocked when Pizer confessed to the murder. It turned out that Pizer had formed an emotional bond with Joan Rabel, and it appeared that Joan had manipulated her into carrying out the murder.
Motive and Confession
It emerged that Joan and Betty shared a close relationship that may have leaned towards the romantic side, and Joan Rabel felt envy toward Peter Fabiano as she felt he obstructed her bond with Betty.
Joan harbored bitterness toward Peter for coming in the way of her desired deeper connection with Betty, which she viewed as an impediment to forming a closer bond with Betty.
Joan's envy grew stronger, and eventually, she devised a plan to remove Peter from the equation and orchestrate his death by manipulating Goldyne Pizer into carrying out the murder.
Joan was able to accomplish this by telling Pizer that Peter was an abusive drug dealer who was physically assaulting Betty.
Joan carefully planned out the crime. First, she convinced Goldyne to purchase a .38 caliber revolver. Next, she exploited Goldyne’s longing for acceptance and her affectionate feelings towards Joan and convinced her to carry out the murder.
During her interrogation, Goldyne admitted she took measures by disguising herself for Halloween and committed the murder to secure Joan's approval and affection.
Detectives had a breakthrough when they tracked down the firearm used in the killing which had been purchased by Pizer —an oversight she regretted as it led to her apprehension.
Soon after, she admitted her guilt to the authorities, her sorrow apparent as she disclosed Joan Rabel's role as the mastermind behind the scheme.
With Goldyne's confession in hand, detectives turned their attention to Joan Rabel. Despite her initial denials, the evidence against her was overwhelming. Prosecutors confirmed Joan’s close relationship with Betty Fabiano, and Goldyne's detailed account of Joan's role in planning the murder left little doubt about her involvement.
Both women were arrested and charged with murder.
Trial and Sentencing
The high-profile trial of Joan Rabel and Goldyne Pizer drew significant media attention. A love triangle intertwined with manipulation and a Halloween night murder fascinated the public.
The courtroom was often filled to capacity with on-lookers eager to witness the legal proceedings while newspapers meticulously documented each aspect of the case.
Facing overwhelming evidence against them, Joan and Goldyne pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the hopes of receiving a more lenient sentence and avoiding possibly facing the death penalty.
In a plea deal with prosecutors, both women were given a prison term of five years to life. Many saw this as a very lenient sentence for a cold blooded murder.
Aftermath and Legacy
In the years following Peter Fabiano’s murder, the case became part of true crime lore as different media sources revisited it. The case has been showcased in books on crime literature and discussed in podcasts and documentaries, establishing its place amongst other notorious Halloween crimes.
The sensational aspects of the case such as the presence of a love triangle and the exploitation of a vulnerable individual, leading to a murder on Halloween night contributed to its enduring impact.
The underlying psychological aspects of this case cannot be ignored. The fact that Joan Rabel was able to manipulate Goldyne Pizer into committing a murder highlights the power of jealousy and obsession.
Joan's intense focus on Betty Fabiano and her bitterness towards Peter motivated her to plan a murder. In contrast, Goldyne’s intense longing for affection and approval drove her to carry out the act.
This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangerous consequences that unrestrained emotions can bring about, particularly when fueled by manipulation and longing.
Sources:
Andersen, C. (2000). The Halloween murder that shocked 1950s Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-nov-01-me-44419-story.html
Newton, M. (2009). Famous crimes revisited. ABC-Clio. Retrieved from https://www.abc-clio.com/famous-crimes-revisited/halloween-murder
Schenck, B. (2017). Halloween murder of Peter Fabiano: Trick or death? The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/archives/halloween-murder
State of California v. Pizer, G. & Rabel, J., 168 Cal. Rptr. 345 (1960). Retrieved from https://www.findlaw.com/case-docs/peter-fabiano-murder
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