Ep 8. The Cop and the Killer

In the season 3 episode 8 of Evil Lives Here, titled The Cop and the Killer, viewers are introduced to a chilling true crime story about the relationship between a notorious serial killer and his closest confidant - a cop.

The episode delves deep into the life of convicted killer Keith Hunter Jesperson, also known as the "Happy Face Killer," who terrorized the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990s with a string of brutal murders of women. But what makes this story even more disturbing is Jesperson's close relationship with Pat Wynne, a former police officer who he confided in about his gruesome crimes.

Through interviews with friends, family members, and law enforcement officials, viewers learn about the dynamic between Jesperson and Wynne, who initially bonded over their love of fishing. But as Jesperson's murderous tendencies began to surface, Wynne found himself caught between loyalty to his friend and his duty as a law enforcement officer.

The episode explores the psychological hold that Jesperson had over Wynne, who struggled to reconcile his own personal feelings with the fact that he was harboring a dangerous criminal. Even after Jesperson was finally apprehended and confessed to the murders, Wynne continued to defend him, claiming that he was a "nice guy."

Throughout the episode, viewers also get a glimpse into Jesperson's twisted mind, as he details the motives behind his killings and how he managed to evade law enforcement for so long. His graphic descriptions of the murders are bone-chilling, leaving viewers with a sense of unease as they witness firsthand the depravity of a killer who felt no remorse for his actions.

But it's the story of Jesperson's relationship with Wynne that really sets this episode apart. As viewers witness the lengths that a killer will go to in order to manipulate those around him, they are forced to question how well they truly know the people in their own lives.

Overall, The Cop and the Killer is a riveting episode that highlights the intricate relationships between criminals and those who enable them. It's a chilling reminder that evil can often lurk closer than we think, and that even those in positions of authority can be susceptible to its allure.