Ep 2. Party Crashers

Set in the crime-ridden city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Murder Chose Me is a gripping true-crime series that follows the life and cases of Detective Rod Demery. In season 2 episode 2, titled "Party Crashers," viewers are taken deep into the mind of a seasoned homicide detective as he investigates a brutal murder that takes place in the midst of a wild party.

The episode begins with Demery receiving a call in the middle of the night about a homicide that has just occurred. When he arrives on the scene, he is greeted by a chaotic scene of teenagers and young adults who attended a party at a local home. Amidst the pandemonium, Demery spots a young man lying motionless on the ground, with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who is later identified as 19-year-old Brandon Henderson, is surrounded by a pool of blood, his lifeless body illuminated under the flickering strobe lights and thumping bass of the DJ's music.

The initial investigation is met with a wall of silence from the party-goers, who seem to be more interested in taking photos and posting them on social media than helping to solve the case. Through skillful detective work and his years of experience, Demery soon discovers that the victim was attending the party, uninvited, and had a reputation for instigating fights.

As he untangles the web of clues and begins to piece together the events that led up to the shooting, Demery faces numerous obstacles, from a potential botched crime scene to elusive witnesses and a wall of deceitful friends and family members. He is forced to navigate a labyrinthine landscape of gossip, rumors, and innuendo, all while dealing with the pressure of finding the killer before the trail goes cold.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to interviews with the victim's family members, who describe Brandon as a troubled and difficult young man who had gotten involved with the wrong crowd. They open up to the camera, sharing their grief, anger, and disbelief at the senseless loss of their loved one.

In classic Murder Chose Me style, the episode is interspersed with glimpses of Demery's own personal life, as he grapples with the emotional toll of the case and reflects on his own experiences growing up in Baton Rouge. This added context gives viewers a deeper understanding of what drives the detective to do the work he does and helps to humanize him in a way that is often missing in crime shows.

As the investigation progresses, Demery's dogged pursuit of justice leads him down increasingly dangerous paths, culminating in a gripping and tense conclusion that is sure to leave viewers on the edge of their seats. With its gritty realism, attention to detail, and a cast of compelling characters, "Party Crashers" is a standout episode in the series that showcases why Murder Chose Me is a must-watch for true-crime fans.