'Starry Night Murderer' allegedly terrorizing people after early prison release, parole violations
Share and Follow

A man once infamous for owning a Portland nightclub and being convicted in a high-profile 1990 murder case has found himself behind bars again, now facing charges of domestic violence and violating parole in Clackamas County.

Larry Hurwitz, who gained notoriety as the “Starry Night Murderer,” was apprehended in Sandy recently on suspicions of harassment and fourth-degree assault. Jail records indicate he is detained for breaching parole terms. He is currently held in Clackamas County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

The Oregon Board of Parole confirmed to Fox News Digital that Hurwitz remains under lifetime supervision following his murder conviction, with no additional convictions under their oversight. Parole authorities revealed a warrant issued in 2019 was executed in 2023, leading to his extradition from California.

According to board documents, Hurwitz had his parole supervision revoked previously in August 2019, resulting in a 180-day penalty.

Tim Moreau stands on a dock near a river in an undated photo

Tim Moreau, depicted in an undated photograph, was a former employee at the Starry Night Concert Hall. His 1990 murder ultimately resulted in the conviction of the nightclub’s owner, Larry Hurwitz. (KPTV)

Hurwitz was sentenced in 2000 to 11 years in prison for the 1990 murder of his 21-year-old employee, Tim Moreau. Hurwitz was the former owner of the Starry Night Concert Hall in northwest Portland.

According to KPTV, the case was first exposed by veteran journalist Jim Redden in a 1990 Willamette Week investigative series titled “Missing and Presumed Dead.” The reporting examined the disappearance of Moreau, who worked as the promotions manager at the Starry Night club.

“He did in fact start this incredibly influential Starry Night club,” Redden told KPTV. “He could have climbed to the top of the entire business here in town. But he had this dark side that undermined everything he did.”

Larry Hurwitz enters a courthouse during a court appearance in an archival image

Larry Hurwitz enters a courthouse during a court appearance in an archival image. Hurwitz, a former Portland nightclub owner, was convicted in the 1990 murder of employee Tim Moreau. (KPTV)

Redden told the outlet that from the beginning, he believed Hurwitz was responsible for Moreau’s disappearance, describing Hurwitz as an aggressive businessman with a reputation for selling counterfeit concert tickets at his own venue.

Prosecutors later argued Hurwitz killed Moreau alongside another employee, George Castagnola, to prevent the ticket scheme from being exposed. Hurwitz ultimately entered a no-contest plea. Moreau’s body has never been found.

After Hurwitz’s early release from prison in 2008, Redden told KPTV that Hurwitz continued to have run-ins with law enforcement, including a 2019 drug trafficking case in California.

Family members of Tim Moreau walk together inside a courthouse hallway

Family members of Tim Moreau walk together inside a courthouse in an archival image. Moreau was killed in 1990 in a case that later led to the conviction of former Portland nightclub owner Larry Hurwitz. (KPTV)

“He was arrested in California on a drug trafficking charge down in Huntington Beach, California, with four kilos of cocaine and $320,000 in cash and was convicted on that,” Redden said.

Redden told KPTV that while the current arrest appears less severe on its face, it could still have broader implications.

“On the surface, it is a much smaller arrest. It’s domestic violence,” Redden said. “But I don’t think that the full story has come out yet. The investigation is ongoing, and there could be some connections to previous cases.”

The Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office told Fox News Digital it cannot comment on the specifics of the case, citing an ongoing investigation. Prosecutors said the parole violation process is separate from the criminal case and is handled outside the DA’s office.

Hurwitz is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 4. His trial is set for March 19.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Luxury blue-city landlords accused of looking the other way as high-end buildings turn into crime hubs

Landlords of Upscale Blue-City Properties Allegedly Neglect Rising Crime in High-End Buildings

A woman claims she was trafficked for sex as a teenager and…
A look at how electric vehicles perform in extreme weather

How Electric Vehicles Handle Extreme Weather: Performance Insights and Challenges

CHICAGO — In our latest edition of Driving Into the Future, brought…
After Trump strikes Islamist terrorists, US general travels to Nigeria with militants 'on the run'

US General Visits Nigeria as Trump Administration’s Strike Forces Islamist Militants into Retreat

In a significant development from Nigeria, it has been revealed that terrorists…
Private jet carrying 8 crashes at airport in Bangor, Maine. Here's what we know.

Tragic Private Jet Crash at Bangor Airport: Key Details on the Fatal Incident Involving 8 Passengers

A Bombardier Challenger 600, carrying eight individuals, met with disaster Sunday night…
Leeds woman arrested after interfering with arrest of undocumented immigrant

Leeds Resident Detained for Disrupting Immigration Arrest

LEEDS, Ala. (TRIBUNE) — A routine traffic stop in Leeds took an…
Self-described Minn. Antifa member calls for 'armed' men to stop immigration agents he calls 'mass murderers'

Minnesota Antifa Affiliate Urges Armed Intervention Against Immigration Agents, Deeming Them ‘Mass Murderers

A Minneapolis resident who identifies as an “Antifa” member has issued a…
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Stars Peter Claffey and Tanzyn Crawford Break Down Dunk and Tanselle’s “Absolutely Hilarious” Flirtations: “That’s How Bad I Am With Women”

Peter Claffey and Tanzyn Crawford Delve into Dunk and Tanselle’s Comical Chemistry in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’: “That’s How Bad I Am With Women

Among the endearing elements of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms…
Powerhouse agency CAA enters the high-stakes venture capital world

CAA Ventures into High-Stakes Arena: A Game-Changer in the Venture Capital Landscape

CAA, the renowned talent agency, is boldly venturing into the competitive arena…