This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:20:48
The video delves into the tragic story of Elyse Pahler against the backdrop of the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 90s, a period characterized by widespread but unsubstantiated accusations of ritualistic child abuse by satanic cults. Elyse Pahler's journey from a troubled teenager to her murder is chronicled in great detail. She befriended Jacob Delashmutt, who introduced her to Joseph Fiorella and Royce Casey, leading to her involvement in their heavy metal band, heavily influenced by Slayer's controversial satanic imagery.
Joseph Fiorella, deeply obsessed with the occult, devised a plan to murder Elyse as a sacrifice to achieve his band's success. Despite initial failure, the trio eventually executed their plan, leading to Elyse’s violent and tragic death, which involved stabbing, strangulation, and subsequent necrophilic acts.
The aftermath saw the Pahler family entangled in legal battles, attempting to sue Slayer for inciting violence through their music, but the courts dismissed their claims citing First Amendment protections. The killers, Royce, Joseph, and Jacob, were sentenced to 25 years to life. Royce showed some remorse and made efforts towards rehabilitation, which led to conflicting parole decisions over the years. However, the California Court of Appeal ultimately denied his parole in 2023, reinforcing that the perpetrators’ actions were not incited by music or drugs but were a result of inherent malevolence.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the narrator discusses the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 90s, highlighting how widespread conspiracy theories about mass child abuse by Satanic cults led to over 12,000 accusations but no substantiated evidence. It is noted that individual cases of people using the guise of Satanic rituals for malicious acts did occur. The video then introduces the tragic story of Elyse Pahler, a girl from Arroyo Grande, California. Elyse initially had a happy childhood but began to struggle in her teenage years, taking up drinking and smoking to fit in with her new high school friends. After her parents discovered her substance abuse, they sent her to rehab, where she met Jacob Delashmutt. Through Jacob, Elyse was introduced to Joseph Fiorella and Royce Casey, former students expelled from her high school and friends with an apparent group leader, Joseph.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, Joseph convinces his friends Jacob and Royce to start a heavy metal band inspired by the band Slayer, which Joseph idolizes. The narrative then shifts to a comprehensive history of heavy metal, beginning with Black Sabbath’s debut in 1969, and the evolution of the genre through bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and Venom. The segment highlights the British heavy metal movement of the late 1970s and its influence on the American thrash metal scene in the Bay Area during the 1980s, featuring Metallica, Exodus, and Slayer. Specifically, it focuses on Slayer’s formation in 1981 and their rise to mainstream prominence with their 1986 album “Reign in Blood,” solidifying their reputation in the heavy metal community. The video describes Slayer’s controversial use of satanic imagery, their defiance against censorship during the Reagan era, and the band’s devoted fan base.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, it discusses the extreme actions taken by a band named Hatred, led by Joseph, who was deeply invested in the occult and believed that performing a satanic sacrifice would ensure their success. The band aimed to sacrifice a vulnerable girl named Elyse, whom they planned to lure under the guise of hanging out. Despite their efforts to carry out the plan meticulously, their initial attempt failed, prompting them to postpone the act to another occasion. The segment highlights the distinction between the theatrical use of satanic imagery in heavy metal music and the actual violent intentions of individuals like Joseph.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, Elyse disappeared on July 22nd, 1995, leaving no clues about her whereabouts. Eight months later, the Arroyo Grande police received a tip from a clergyman about a confession from 17-year-old Royce Casey. Royce led officers to Elyse’s body in a dense forest, admitting he, Joseph Fiorella, and Jacob Delashmutt had murdered her. Elyse had snuck out to meet the boys to smoke pot. The trio ambushed her, restrained her with a belt, and took turns stabbing her. After ensuring she was unconscious, they sexually assaulted her.
00:12:00
In this segment, it is revealed that Elyse was not dead when her attackers left her in the woods, as her autopsy showed prolonged blood loss from stab wounds and non-fatal strangulation. Over weeks and even months, her attackers, three boys, returned to the crime scene to commit necrophilia. One of them, Royce, later confessed to the police, expressing regret and fear of committing further harm. Royce distanced himself from the other two, Joseph and Jacob, who showed no remorse and were planning more violence. The police arrested Joseph and Jacob, and all three were sentenced to 25 years to life. The boys were influenced by the band Slayer’s lyrics, prompting Elyse’s parents to sue Slayer, accusing them of inciting violence through their music. The parents’ legal team focused on specific dark-themed tracks from Slayer’s albums, linking the lyrics to ritualistic and violent acts.
00:15:00
In this segment, the discussion focuses on the Pahler family’s legal battles following the murder of their daughter Elyse. Initially, the Pahlers’ lawsuit against Slayer and their record label for allegedly inciting harmful acts through their music was dismissed. The court upheld the protection of artistic expression under the First Amendment. Elyse’s father, David Pahler, criticized the industry’s marketing strategies targeting adolescents. Despite the Pahlers’ beliefs, the second lawsuit claiming the music influenced the murder was also dismissed. Jacob Delashmutt, one of the killers, stated that the music was not the reason for Elyse’s murder, but rather Joe Fiorella’s obsession with her. Slayer’s drummer, Paul Bostaph, denied the band’s responsibility for the crime. Subsequent parole updates mentioned that Royce Casey, another perpetrator, was denied parole in 2016 and 2019 but was deemed eligible in 2021.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses Royce’s reflection on his past behaviors and the initial parole board’s judgment that Royce lacked sufficient self-awareness regarding his crime. Initially, this led to a denial of parole, but a subsequent review by Justice Hernando Baltodano overturned this decision, noting that Royce had shown significant insight through a detailed statement about the factors leading to his crime.
The segment highlights that Royce’s attorney argued his confession was critical in providing closure for the victim’s family and praised Royce’s rehabilitation efforts in prison, emphasizing his remorse, educational achievements, and mentorship of other inmates. However, in 2023, the California Court of Appeal ultimately denied parole again, citing concerns about Royce’s potential for future violence given his young age and perceived lack of insight into his crime.
The court dismissed the idea that external influences like death metal music or marijuana use were to blame, pointing out that such experiences are common among teenagers who do not commit murder. The ruling underscored that an evil person will commit evil acts, independent of their exposure to violent media.