Ep 3. Hearts of Darkness

In A Crime to Remember season 5 episode 3, titled "Hearts of Darkness," viewers are taken back to the 1960s when a string of murders shock the small town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The episode focuses on the brutal slayings of three young women who were all attacked in their own homes. The murderer left behind little evidence at the crime scenes, which created a sense of panic and fear in the community.

The first victim, 19-year-old Linda Mae Aguillard, was found bludgeoned to death in her apartment in May 1962. The killer had used a hammer to beat her repeatedly, leaving her with skull fractures and almost unrecognizable. Despite an intensive investigation, police were unable to find any leads that could help them identify a suspect.

A few months later, in September 1962, the second victim, 18-year-old Minnie Sarah Singer, was found dead in a similar manner. Minnie had also been savagely beaten with a blunt object, causing fatal head injuries. The brutality of the murder shocked the community even more, and people started to take extra precautions to protect themselves.

However, the killer struck again two years later, in September 1964. The third victim, 23-year-old Diane Williams, was found raped, strangled, and floating in a bayou not far from her home. This time, detectives were able to gather a few pieces of evidence, including a tire mark and footprints near the scene of the crime. But even with the new evidence, the investigation was slow-going, and detectives were no closer to solving the case.

Despite the lack of progress, the community had become extremely vigilant and paranoid. Women started to carry weapons, and some even slept with their lights on and doors locked. The killer seemed to enjoy the attention and taunted the police by leaving cryptic notes and making prank phone calls.

As pressure mounted, the investigation finally led detectives to a suspect, Franklin Delano Floyd, a local drifter with a history of petty crime and violence. Floyd was arrested and put on trial for the murder of Diane Williams. However, the trial was anything but straightforward, with Floyd's attorneys using every trick in the book to undermine the prosecution's case.

The trial was fraught with drama, including Floyd's erratic behavior in court and the testimony of several witnesses who claimed to have seen him near the crime scene around the time of the murder. However, the defense argued that the physical evidence was weak and that the prosecution's case was built on circumstantial evidence.

Despite the obstacles, the prosecution was eventually able to secure a conviction, and Floyd was sentenced to death. However, the story didn't end there. Floyd would go on to become known as one of America's most infamous killers, committing even more murders and crimes before his eventual capture and life sentence.

"Hearts of Darkness" is a gripping episode that delves into the horrors of a string of murders that rocked a small community and shocked the nation. With its compelling storytelling, fascinating characters, and haunting footage, this episode is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and fans of mystery and suspense.