Daniel Wozniak was convicted of shooting and killing Army veteran Sam Herr on May 21, 2010 in Los Alamitos, California. Daniel Wozniak shot Sam Herr in the back of the head twice and decapitated him for the money in his bank account; he needed some cash to pay for his upcoming wedding. Daniel Wozniak was convicted of the pre-meditated murder of Juri ‘Julie’ Kibuishi and Sam Herr and sentenced to death in 2015.
In the News:
Sam Herr’s father Steve Herr found Julie Kibuishi’s lifeless body sprawled across his son’s bed. -ABC News
The Herr family believes Sam Herr, who had $62,000 saved from combat pay, may have been a victim himself. -ABC News
Daniel Wozniak, 31, stands accused of killing his neighbor and another woman while performing in a play in 2010. -ABC News
Daniel Patrick Wozniak was formally sentenced to death on Friday for using a firearm to murder his neighbor for financial gain and also murdering the victim’s friend in an effort to derail the investigation by framing the first victim. Michele Gile reports. -CBS Los Angeles
After several hours of interrogation, Daniel Wozniak reveals the motive and details behind Sam Herr and Julie Kibuishi’s murders. -48 Hours, Killer Performance
At trial, Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy urges jurors to impose death for Daniel Wozniak. Here are the reasons why he feels no other punishment is just. -48 Hours, Killer Performance
48 Hours” correspondent Tracy Smith on meeting Steve Herr, whose Army veteran son, Sam, disappeared in May 2010. As the search unravels a murder scene in Sam’s bedroom, his father hunts for answers — and the truth. -48 Hours, Killer Performance
Julie Kibuishi’s mother, June, and close friend, Katie Bitonio, share what they loved about the young dancer. Julie’s personality is captured as she performs and in a video she made with friends. -48 Hours, Killer Performance
Kara Kessener and Deborah Kennedy met Daniel Wozniak in a local theater production of “Nine.” They talk about his behavior the weekend of the murders. -48 Hours, Killer Performance
Investigation Discovery:
California student Julie Kibuishi is found dead in the bed of her friend, Sam Herr a decorated war hero. But Sam is nowhere to be found. As police hunt for their prime suspect, they’ll find this case is far more complicated than it first appeared. -Curtain Call, The Perfect Murder (S3,E13)
Costa Mesa, California is beautiful place to live, but it comes at a cost. The murder of a young girl and the disappearance of a former Army soldier leads investigators down a dark path into the mind of an unassuming killer. -Final Curtain, Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent (S9,E5)
Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.
Related Links:
Justice delayed: Why it took more than 5 years for trial of Daniel Wozniak, accused of killing 2, beheading one victim
Actor decapitates Army combat vet and kills vet’s girlfriend
Daniel Wozniak Murders: Killer Had a Larger-Than-Life Personality, Friends Say
Father describes horror of his dismembered son’s murder
Convicted killer Daniel Wozniak’s ex-fiancee Rachel Buffett appears in court
Actor is Convicted of Killing an Army Vet and His Friend to Get Money to Afford His Wedding
Actor who played lead in a musical after killing two, dismembering one, convicted of murder
Jury recommends execution for community theater actor convicted of decapitating Army veteran and then murdering victim’s friend to pay for his wedding
Community theater actor sentenced to death for killing, dismembering Afghanistan vet to pay for wedding
Ex-Actor Sentenced to Death After Being Found Guilty of Killing 2 People to Raise Money for His Wedding
How a California Community Theater Actor Tried to Frame a War Veteran for Murder
Community Actor Kills Veteran, Student for Money to Bankroll Honeymoon
Theatre actor murdered Army veteran and friend so he could steal money to pay for his wedding
Daniel Wozniak case: Full story of California double murder investigated on ’20/20′
Daniel Wozniak, Rachel Buffet: ‘Dateline’ NBC Examines Plot Twists of Actor in Bizarre Costa Mesa, California Murder Case
Sam Herr, Juri ‘Julie’ Kibuishi: ‘The Perfect Murder’ on Investigation Discovery—Afghanistan War Vet, California Tutor Killed by Actor in Plot to Have Lavish Wedding
Daniel Wozniak: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
48 Hours: Killer Performance
Curtain Call | The Perfect Murder | Investigation Discovery (S3,E13)
Curtain Call | The Perfect Murder | Investigation Discovery (website)
Curtain Call | The Perfect Murder | Investigation Discovery (Prime Video)
The Perfect Murder Premiered ‘Curtain Call’ on ID; Sam Herr & Julie Kibuishi Murdered in Costa Mesa, California by Unusual Suspect (August 24, 2016)
Final Curtain | Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent | Investigation Discovery (S9,E5)
Final Curtain | Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent | Investigation Discovery (website)
Final Curtain | Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent | Investigation Discovery (Prime Video)
Unusual Suspects, Deadly Intent Premiered ‘Final Curtain’ on ID: Sam Herr & Julie Kibuishi Murdered in Costa Mesa, California (November 1, 2017)
Video Links:
College Girl Found Dead in Veteran’s Apartment [Part 1] | ABC News
College Girl Found Dead in Veteran’s Apartment [Part 2] | ABC News
Community Theater Actor on Trial for Killing Two People | ABC News
Death penalty sought against actor | Orange County Register
Costa Mesa Actor Sentenced To Death For Double Murder | CBS Los Angeles
Daniel Wozniak: “I’m crazy and I did it” | 48 Hours
Prosecutor: Wozniak deserves death | 48 Hours
Reporter’s Notebook: How a father copes | 48 Hours
Remembering Julie Kibuishi | 48 Hours
What’s it like performing with a killer? | 48 Hours
Mystery in Apartment 410 | 20/20 ABC
Facing the Death Penalty
‘Curtain Call’ | The Perfect Murder | Investigation Discovery (YouTube)
‘Final Curtain’ | Unusual Suspects: Deadly Intent | Investigation Discovery (YouTube)
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 
Hello, I just watched the show on Sam’s horrific murder. I want to let his family’s (natural and military) how very sorry I am. He was a lovely sole.
My heart is broken, I feel so sad for both families…. I just watched Dateline, and cried through the whole show… I hope both Sam and Julie family 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏…. And I pray that they put sick people like Dan to death…. Or both families write everyday, reminding him of what he did. I know my tears, will never replace your families… But know that I will never forget this…. And will choose my friends carefully….. Bless you all and so sorry for your losses….