She Wasn’t Suicidal: The Murder of Adrienne Shelly

Before we begin, I need to warn you. This episode contains graphic content, including descriptions of violence and murder.

If these topics are difficult for you, please listen with caution. And as always, listener discretion is strongly advised. I need an ambulance. My wife, she's not breathing.

At first glance, police thought it was a Susan. A tragic ending for a talented actress, screenwriter and filmmaker. But here's the thing. Adrienne wasn't suicidal.

She had a husband she adored, a three year old daughter who was her world and a thriving career. And then came the detail that changed everything. The autopsy. Adrienne didn't take her own life. She was murdered.

Welcome to Owl in Red, the podcast that tells the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves. I'm Kimberly Holmes, and today we are talking about the brutal murder of Adrienne Shelley, a woman who was smart, successful, and deeply loved.

And yet her life was stolen in an instant. At first, investigators thought her death was a suicide, but the truth? It was something far more sinister. Who killed Adrian? Why?

And how did a random twist of fate unravel the truth? Let's first go back to where it all began. So who was Adrian?

She had a passion for storytelling from a young age and pursued a career in acting and filmmaking. By her 20s, she was making a name for herself in independent film films.

The movie was her passion project, one that would eventually become a Broadway hit. She had a husband who adored her, a three year old daughter who was her world, a career that was taking off in a big way.

Her husband Andy had spoken to her earlier. She was happy at the excited about her film and had plans to pick up their daughter later. But she never made it.

That evening, Andie arrived home to find her hanging in the bathroom. At first, it looked like suicide. But something felt off. Andy refused to believe that Adrian, his Adrian, would take her own life. And he was right.

The medical examiner wasn't convinced either. During the autopsy, something chilling was discovered. Bruising around her mouth and neck. Signs of a struggle. Signs of homicide.

Adrian hadn't hung herself. She had been strangled. The question now was, who did this? And that's when police made a shocking discovery.

Investigators started checking surveillance footage from the building. That's when they saw a man, a construction worker, seen going into Adrian's apartment building around the time of her death. His name, Diego Pilco.

He was a 19 year old illegal immigrant from Ecuador, working on a construction site in the building. When police tracked him down, at first he denied everything. But then finally, he cracked.

According to Diego, Adrian had complained about the noise from the construction. She had threatened to call the police on the workers. Afraid of being deported, Diego panicked.

He broke into her apartment, hoping to stop her from reporting them. When she confronted him, he attacked her, knocking her unconscious. And here's the part that's truly disturbing.

Adrian was still alive when he made his next move. Instead of helping her, he wrapped a bed sheet around her neck, staged it to look like a suicide, and then left. He almost got away with it.

But Adrian fought. Even in death, she exposed the truth. Diego was arrested and charged with second degree murder. @ first, he claimed it was an accident.

But for Adrian's family, there was no real justice. Her husband lost his wife. Her daughter lost her mother. The world lost an incredible storyteller who was just getting started.

Adrienne should still be here. She should have been at the Waitress premiere. She should have seen her daughter grow up. She should have had more time.

Her story is a painful reminder that sometimes violence comes from the most unexpected places. That one moment of blind rage can destroy countless lives. But if there's one thing that remains, it's Adrienne's legacy. Because Waitress.

It became a Broadway sensation. It touched millions. And Adrienne's voice lives on. That's it for today's episode of Owl in Red.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, please reach out. You are not alone. Next time on Owl in Red. We're diving into another case, one that's left more questions than answers.

Until then, stay safe and remember, the silent are finally heard.