Born to Kill
Each episode delves deeply into the childhood and formative years of serial killers, exploring whether these killers were born with their tendencies or shaped by their environments. The show features criminal psychologists and experts who analyze the backgrounds of notorious murderers to address the nature versus nurture question about violent behavior. It originally aired starting in 2005 and has multiple seasons. The series has been well-regarded for its factual and in-depth approach to profiling serial killers and their life stories .
This episode explores her life as a prostitute who murdered her clients in Florida between 1989 and 1990. It covers her troubled background, her criminal acts, and the investigation that led to her capture. The episode delves into the psychological and social factors that may have contributed to her becoming a serial killer, describing her as "breaking all the rules" and highlighting the brutal murders of seven men.
This episode covers Legere's criminal career including his life sentence for murder, his 1989 prison escape, and the subsequent reign of terror he inflicted on the Miramichi River Valley community in New Brunswick, Canada. It explores his troubled upbringing, violent nature, and the brutal murders he committed during his escape period. The episode provides in-depth psychological analysis of Legere, discussing whether he was born a psychopath or shaped by his environment.
The episode on Altemio Sanchez, titled "Altemio Sanchez: The Guy Next Door," covers his campaign of rape and murder that targeted the Buffalo, New York area over three decades. Despite being a pillar of the community and a churchgoer, Sanchez was responsible for heinous crimes, including the murder of several women.
The couple who terrorized America's Midwest in 1984, killing eight people over a short period. The documentary delves into their backgrounds, the transformation of Debra Brown from a meek girlfriend to a willing accomplice, and the horrifying spree of crimes they committed together.
Beverley Gail Allitt, an English nurse who became known as a serial killer and was nicknamed "The Angel of Death." She was convicted of murdering four infants, attempting to murder three others, and causing grievous bodily harm to six more children at Grantham and Kesteven Hospital's children's ward in 1991. Allitt committed these crimes over a 59-day period by administering lethal doses of insulin and other means. She was found guilty in 1993 and received thirteen life sentences.
The episode "Born to Kill?" about Bobby Joe Long covers the story of an American serial killer and rapist who abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered at least ten women in the Tampa Bay area in 1984. Known as the "Classified Ad Rapist," Long carried out his crimes over an eight-month spree, leaving the local women terrified. His downfall came when he picked up a victim who survived and was able to identify him, leading to his arrest. Long was sentenced to death in 1986 and was executed in 2019. The episode explores forensic evidence like red carpet fibers and tire tracks, and the survivor's testimony that led to his capture
A depraved serial killer who murdered four women, including tourists and a park worker, in and around Yosemite National Park in 1999. Stayner, the older brother of famous child kidnapping victim Steven Stayner, was initially perceived as a normal maintenance worker but held violent fantasies for decades. The episode explores how he fooled those around him, his eventual confession, and the investigation that led to his arrest. It also examines his psychological background, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and mild autism, which were presented during his trial. Cary Stayner was sentenced to death and is currently on death row in California .
The "Born to Kill?" episode about Charles Albright, known as the "Eyeball Killer," profiles his crimes in Dallas, Texas, during the early 1990s. Albright was convicted of one murder and suspected of killing several prostitutes by shooting them and surgically removing their eyeballs. The episode details the investigation led by police detectives, forensic analysis, and witness accounts that pieced together the brutal killings. Despite being seen as a charismatic and artistic individual, Albright harbored sadistic tendencies. The case reveals how forensic evidence like unique hair samples and other clues tied him to the murders. Albright was sentenced to life in prison and died in 2020
The "Born to Kill?" episode about Charles Starkweather focuses on his infamous 1958 killing spree across Nebraska and Wyoming. At 19, Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate went on an eight-day rampage that resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including Fugate's mother, stepfather, and half-sister. The episode explores the progression of their violent crimes, starting with a dispute that escalated into multiple murders, and the subsequent evasion of law enforcement. It highlights the psychological dynamics between Starkweather and Fugate, the investigation, media frenzy, trial, and eventual convictions. Starkweather was sentenced to death and executed, while Fugate claimed she was held hostage but was convicted as an accomplice .
The chilling story of Charles Manson and his followers who committed a series of brutal murders in 1969. The episode covers how Manson, a charismatic ex-con, manipulated his "family" of followers into killing seven people over two nights with the goal of sparking a race war he called "Helter Skelter." It includes perspectives from detectives, attorneys, and psychiatrists attempting to understand Manson's motivations and the psychological control he exerted over his cult. The episode digs into Manson's background, his crimes, and the impact on the victims and society