Ep 7. New Orleans: Katrina & The Incident At Danzinger Bridge, Sniper Mark Essex, Delphine Lalaur

Hidden City season 1 episode 7, titled "New Orleans: Katrina & The Incident At Danzinger Bridge, Sniper Mark Essex, Delphine Lalaur," delves into the dark history of New Orleans. Host and writer Marcus Sakey takes the audience on a journey through time, visiting the locations where some of the city's most horrific events took place.

The episode begins with a focus on Hurricane Katrina, the costliest storm in U.S. history. Sakey speaks to several residents who share their harrowing experiences of the storm and its aftermath. He explores the city's Ninth Ward, one of the areas hit hardest by the storm, and recalls the chaos that ensued as residents struggled to find food, water and medical attention.

Sakey then turns his attention to the incident at Danzinger Bridge, where police officers opened fire on a group of unarmed civilians in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The incident resulted in the death of two people and the injury of four others. Sakey speaks with local activists and watchdogs, who detail the flawed investigation that followed and the eventual conviction of the officers involved.

The episode takes a darker turn as Sakey discusses the story of sniper Mark Essex, who terrorized the city in 1973. Essex targeted police officers and civilians, killing 10 people in total before being killed himself. Sakey explores the locations where Essex carried out his attacks and speaks to residents who remember the fear that gripped the city during his reign of terror.

The final segment of the episode focuses on Delphine Lalaur, a wealthy socialite who lived in New Orleans in the 1800s. Lalaur is remembered for her gruesome treatment of her slaves, who were discovered living in a state of extreme torture and neglect. Sakey speaks to historians who recount the horrors experienced by Lalaur's slaves and the scandal that followed the discovery of the atrocities.

Throughout the episode, Sakey tries to uncover the reasons behind the tragedies that have plagued New Orleans throughout its history. He speaks to experts and locals alike, who offer their own theories and insights. The episode presents a chilling picture of a city with a truly dark past.