Ep 7. The Lady Killers

In season 1 episode 7 of Killer Instinct with Chris Hansen, titled The Lady Killers, the focus is on female serial killers and the crimes they committed. Hansen takes a deep dive into the minds of these women, examining the psychology behind their actions and the clues that eventually led to their capture.

The episode begins with Hansen recounting the story of Belle Gunness, a notorious Norwegian-American serial killer who murdered numerous suitors and hired hands on her farm in Indiana. Gunness was known for her size and strength, and had a reputation for being a fiery and independent woman. She used her charm and wit to lure in men, who eventually became victims of her brutal violence. Through interviews with experts and historians, Hansen pieces together the story of Gunness and her reign of terror.

Next, the episode explores the case of Dorothea Puente, a California woman known for running a boarding house where she drugged and killed her elderly tenants for their social security checks. Puente was soft-spoken and polite, which helped her maintain an air of innocence even as she committed heinous crimes. Hansen speaks with law enforcement officials who worked on the case, as well as Puente's former neighbors, to better understand her twisted motives.

The third segment focuses on Aileen Wuornos, a sex worker who murdered several men in Florida in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Wuornos claimed that the men she killed had either attacked her or tried to sexually assault her, but authorities and the media painted her as a cold-blooded killer. Hansen interviews Wuornos' former lawyer, who sheds light on the difficult circumstances his client faced and the ways in which the legal system failed her.

The final segment of the episode takes a broader look at female killers throughout history, examining the societal factors that may contribute to their behavior. Hansen speaks with a criminologist who argues that women are often overlooked as potential violent offenders, leading to a lack of understanding around why they commit crimes. The episode ends with Hansen reflecting on the importance of studying these cases in order to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Overall, The Lady Killers is a chilling examination of women who have committed horrific acts, and the complex and often tragic circumstances that contributed to their crimes. Hansen's thoughtful and nuanced approach to true crime storytelling makes this episode a must-watch for fans of the genre.