Ep 10. The Casanova Killer
- September 2, 2016
- 22 min
-
6.4 (15)
In season 1, episode 10 of It Takes a Killer, titled "The Casanova Killer," viewers are taken through the disturbing case of serial killer Paul John Knowles. Knowles was a ruthless predator who went on a killing spree in the 1970s, targeting women across the country. This episode delves into his twisted psyche and the investigation that ultimately led to his capture.
The episode opens with a bit of background information on Knowles. He was known to be a charismatic ladies' man, using his good looks and smooth talking to gain the trust of his victims. However, once he had them alone, he would reveal his true nature as a sadistic killer. Knowles was always on the run, constantly changing his appearance and traveling from state to state to avoid getting caught.
The first victim featured in the episode is Lisa Stasi, a 26-year-old woman who was abducted in Florida. Her body was found in a shallow grave just a few days later. Knowles had shot her in the head before dumping her body and stealing her car. The investigators on the case were able to connect the car to Knowles and began tracking him down.
The next victim was a young couple, Tim McKillop and Patricia Magers, who were camping in Georgia. They had walked to a nearby store and were never seen alive again. Their bodies were found brutally beaten and shot to death. Again, Knowles was connected to the case through the couple's stolen car.
As the body count continued to rise, law enforcement agencies across the country were on high alert for Knowles. He was becoming more brazen with each attack, even killing a Sheriff in one encounter. His final victim was a 17-year-old girl named Kathy Kleiner, who survived an attack by Knowles but was left with permanent injuries.
The episode goes into detail about the intense manhunt for Knowles, which involved a massive interstate search and required collaboration between numerous agencies. Eventually, he was tracked down to a hotel in Georgia where he engaged in a chaotic shootout with police before being shot and killed.
Overall, the episode does a good job of showcasing the horrifying nature of Knowles' crimes and the painstaking work that went into bringing him to justice. It's a sobering reminder of the danger that can lurk behind a charming facade, and of the tireless efforts of law enforcement to protect us from such dangers.