True Crime Interrogations: The Canal Killer - How Science Caught Up with a Decades-Old Crime
In the early 1990s, the quiet neighborhoods of Phoenix, Arizona, were shaken by two horrifying murders that would haunt the city for decades. Angela Braso, a 22-year-old cycling enthusiast, and Melanie Bernas, a 17-year-old high school student, were brutally attacked and killed while riding their bikes along a canal near Metro Center. Angela’s body was found headless and naked, her head discovered days later in a refrigerator—a detail that sent chills through the community. Melanie’s body discovered a year later near the same location, bore the marks of a similarly brutal attack, with stab wounds too numerous to count.
The cases went cold for over two decades, leaving the families of the victims in limbo. But in 2015, a breakthrough in DNA technology pointed the finger at Brian Patrick Miller, a man who had been hiding in plain sight. Miller, a local resident with a disturbing past, was known for his fascination with horror and macabre fantasies. His toxic relationship with his mother and history of violence, including an incident where he stabbed a woman as a teenager, painted a portrait of a deeply troubled individual.
When confronted by police, Miller’s demeanor was unnervingly calm. He admitted to having a fascination with knives and bondage, and his ex-wife even recalled incidents where he engaged in violent sexual practices that left her terrified. Despite this, Miller initially denied any involvement in the murders, though his DNA had been linked to both crime scenes—a connection he could not explain.
The investigation revealed a man who had carefully constructed a façade, participating in local car clubs and steampunk societies while harboring dark impulses that ultimately led to the deaths of Angela and Melanie. In 2022, after a long and grueling trial, Brian Patrick Miller was found guilty of the murders and sentenced to death. He now sits on death row, with investigators suspecting that there may be more victims tied to his violent spree.
As Phoenix tries to move past these harrowing events, the story of Brian Patrick Miller serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind seemingly ordinary facades. The families of Angela Braso and Melanie Bernas, though finally granted some measure of justice, continue to grapple with the loss of their loved ones, forever scarred by the heinous acts of a man who concealed his true nature for far too long.
Video via 'Stranger Stories'