Ep 6. Mother of All Murders

In the sixth episode of season 1 of Diabolical, titled "Mother of All Murders," viewers are taken on a chilling journey into the mind of a seemingly loving mother who commits a heinous act. The episode explores the case of Tina Leja, a mother of three who was accused of murdering her youngest son, 4-year-old Christopher.

The episode starts with the frantic 911 call made by Tina herself, reporting that her son had stopped breathing. However, an autopsy revealed that Christopher died from blunt force trauma to the head, and the investigation quickly turned towards Tina. As detectives dive deeper into Tina's life, a disturbing pattern emerges. Her previous husband, with whom she had two children, had died suspiciously just after signing a life insurance policy. Moreover, her search history on her computer was found to contain searches related to "methods to kill without getting caught," indicating that the murder was premeditated.

As detectives dig deeper into Tina's life, interviews with her friends and family members provide further insights into her personality. Her ex-husband, Mark, describes her as manipulative and controlling, and her sister-in-law reveals that Tina had a history of neglecting her children. Even Tina's own mother recounts how she saw her daughter grow increasingly distant and cold towards her children in the weeks leading up to the murder.

As the evidence mounts against Tina, her defense team tries to argue that she suffered from Munchausen Syndrome by proxy, a rare psychological disorder in which a caregiver intentionally harms their child to garner sympathy or attention. However, the prosecution argues that Tina's motive was financial gain, as she stood to receive a large sum from Christopher's life insurance policy.

Ultimately, the jury finds Tina guilty of murder, and she is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The episode ends with interviews with Tina's family members reflecting on how they missed the warning signs, and how they struggled to come to terms with the fact that someone they loved could commit such a heinous act.

"Mother of All Murders" is a haunting episode that explores the dark side of motherhood and the lengths some people will go for personal gain. It is a cautionary tale about the importance of paying attention to warning signs and taking action before it's too late. The episode is masterfully crafted, with expert storytelling and expert interviews that provide insights into the motivations and personalities of the individuals involved. It is a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring the dark side of human nature.