Ep 15. Mad or Bad

In Deadly Women season 8 episode 15, titled "Mad or Bad," viewers are presented with a lineup of female killers who all possess a unique brand of insanity. From a jealous girlfriend who viciously slashed her lover's other girlfriend to a mother who murdered her children while under the influence of postpartum psychosis, this episode explores the many ways in which mental illness can drive women to commit heinous crimes.

The first case features a woman named Chiquita Tate, a successful lawyer whose life took a gruesome turn after she became involved with a man named Greg. After learning that Greg had been continuing a relationship with another woman, Chiquita became consumed with jealousy and decided to take matters into her own hands. In a fit of rage, she purchased a pair of scissors and drove to the other woman's home, where she proceeded to attack her with the sharp object. The victim managed to escape, but Chiquita continued to pursue her, stabbing her repeatedly until she collapsed.

The second case tells the story of Andrea Yates, a mother of five who suffered from severe postpartum depression and psychosis. After the birth of her fourth child, Yates began experiencing delusions and paranoia, convinced that she was a bad mother and that her children would be better off dead. One day, she carried out her twisted plan and drowned all five of her children in the bathtub.

The third case centers around a woman named Mary Winkler, a seemingly devout and loving pastor's wife who shocked her community when she shot and killed her husband in their family home. It was later revealed that Winkler had been suffering from a host of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, and that she had been abused by her husband both physically and emotionally.

The final case follows the story of Christine Paolilla, a troubled young woman who became obsessed with the darker aspects of life after suffering a traumatic incident in her teenage years. Despite being diagnosed with multiple mental illnesses, including depression and borderline personality disorder, Paolilla began spiraling out of control, engaging in drug use and criminal behavior. Her descent ultimately culminated in a sensation and brutal quadruple murder of her friends.

Throughout the episode, viewers will be presented with expert commentary from legal and psychological professionals, as well as friends and family members of the killers themselves. The overall message of the show is one of caution, warning viewers that, while mental illness may be a contributing factor in some cases of violent crime, it is never an excuse for such horrific actions.