When you watch a horror film, it can sometimes leave you with a sense of fear or dread. Our only consolation is that we can tell ourselves that what we just watched isn’t real, that it never actually happened. But what if it was real and did actually happen? ‘Jennifer’s Body‘, written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, is based on a true darkly comic, blood-soaked tale of a popular high school girl who becomes a man-eating succubus after a botched sacrifice by a fame-hungry rock band.
The Real-Life Story Behind Jennifer’s Body
In 2009, the world was introduced to Jennifer’s Body, and it instantly seemed bizarre that such a tale could have real roots. While no confirmations have been found, many have pointed to the 1995 murder of 15-year-old Elyse Pahler as its eerie parallel. Very tragically, Elyse was killed by three teenage boys: Jacob Delashmutt, Joseph Fiorella, and Royce Casey. They were all members of a local metal band called Hatred who believed that sacrificing her in a Satanic ritual would bring them success in music.
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Months before Elyse’s murder, Fiorella had grown obsessed with the occult and Satanism, collecting books by Aleister Crowley and immersing himself in death metal, especially Slayer. He convinced his friends to join him, and together they became members of the Church of Satan. The trio’s fixation grew so deep that they believed sacrificing a virgin would grant them power. According to later testimony, the boys saw her blonde hair, blue eyes, and virginity as “perfect” for their ritual and even attempted to kill her once before.
Reports vary, but in one version, they lured her to the Nipomo Mesa under the guise of helping a friend. When Fiorella handed a knife to another boy and urged him to “do it,” he froze. Elyse thought they were joking and went home unharmed. In another account, Elyse’s mother witnessed a similar attempt near their home and later reported it to the police, but nothing was pursued.
So, What’s The Truth?
On July 22, 1995, Elyse received a call from Delashmutt promising marijuana and LSD. She quietly left home that night, thinking she was meeting friends. Instead, she was led to a eucalyptus grove where, after 15-20 minutes of casual smoking, Delashmutt wrapped his belt around her neck while Fiorella stabbed her repeatedly. Each took turns with the knife. Elyse, still conscious, prayed and called for her mother as she bled out. None of the wounds was instantly fatal, and she eventually died slowly from blood loss.
Rumors later suggested the boys desecrated her body, though evidence was inconclusive due to decomposition. For eight months, Elyse’s disappearance remained a mystery until Royce Casey, haunted by guilt, confessed. His journal revealed his torment, containing chilling lines like “Fighting on the other side now where satans arised and shall conquer and reign” and “virgin meat is the ultimate sacrifice.“
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After converting to Christianity and confiding in his pastor, Casey walked into the Arroyo Grande Police Department on March 13, 1996, and confessed. He led investigators to Elyse’s remains and identified his friends. When questioned, Casey explained their motive bluntly: they believed sacrificing her would help them “play guitar better” and “go professional.” All three boys pleaded no contest. Fiorella and Delashmutt were sentenced to 26 years to life, while Casey received 25 years to life.
In 2016 and 2019, Casey was denied parole, but in 2021, the parole board approved his release. After an appeal, a court reinstated the parole, but no official record confirms Casey’s release. Both Fiorella and Delashmutt remain incarcerated. Yet, as Diablo Cody has clarified, any resemblance is purely coincidental. However, the overlap between fact and fiction leaves room for speculation.
The Sequel Is In the Works
More than 15 years after its release, Jennifer’s Body continues to resonate with audiences. Director Karyn Kusama recently reflected on its revival, expressing her gratitude for its cult following. “I’m just so grateful that the film managed to find its audience,” she said. She acknowledged how it was initially mis-marketed and overshadowed by media controversies surrounding Megan Fox.
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Diablo Cody is now developing a sequel for 20th Century Studios. Kusama teased that Cody’s concept “sounds fun and crazy like the first film” and praised her creative genius. “I do not doubt that Diablo will do something absolutely incredible with it,” she said. Kusama recalled how she almost skipped reading the script due to its title, but was captivated once she did. But her collaboration with producers and Megan Fox fell into place quickly.
Fox, she said, brought humor and intelligence to the role while channeling real pain from being mistreated by the media. “She was clearly dismissed, attacked, and mistrusted. And this role spoke to something she must have already been wanting to flex,” Kusama noted.
Jennifer’s Body has achieved its own status. Now, it’s referred to as an antidote to classic male-centric cinema and a piece that “found its people over time.”
