Ep 2. The Bloody Benders

In Evil Kin season 2 episode 2, titled "The Bloody Benders," the show delves into the terrifying true story of a family of serial killers who operated a small inn on the Kansas frontier in the late 1800s. The Benders, consisting of father John, mother Kate, son John Jr., and daughter Kate, were thought to have killed at least 11 people before disappearing without a trace.

The episode begins with a reenactment of the Benders' grisly crimes, as they lure unsuspecting travelers to their inn and murder them in cold blood. The show's narrators describe the family's gruesome methods, which included bludgeoning, throat-slitting, and burying their victims in the inn's garden.

As the episode progresses, Evil Kin examines the social and historical context in which the Benders operated. The family's crimes were committed in the aftermath of the American Civil War, a time of great upheaval and lawlessness in many parts of the country. The Kansas frontier in particular was a hotbed of violence and criminal activity, with bandits, outlaws, and vigilantes running roughshod over the region.

Against this backdrop, the Benders were able to operate with relative impunity, preying on vulnerable travelers who passed through their inn. They earned a reputation in the area as eccentric but harmless, and were even hailed as civic leaders for a time.

However, their crimes eventually caught up with them. When a group of local vigilantes began investigating a series of disappearances in the area, they discovered evidence linking the Benders to the murders. But by the time they arrived at the inn, the family had fled.

Evil Kin follows the subsequent manhunt for the Benders, which spanned several states and garnered national attention. The show chronicles the many theories and speculations that emerged in the wake of their disappearance, as well as the enduring mystery of their ultimate fate.

Throughout the episode, Evil Kin interweaves reenactments of the Benders' crimes with expert commentary from historians, criminologists, and other experts. The show also features interviews with descendants of the family's victims, who offer poignant and sometimes chilling reflections on the impact of the Benders' crimes on their families and communities.

Overall, "The Bloody Benders" is a gripping and unsettling portrait of one of America's most notorious and enigmatic criminal families. With its combination of historical detail, expert analysis, and haunting reenactments, the episode offers a compelling and informative look at a dark chapter in American history.